Poland’s likely next prime minister has called on the European Union to return to its “proper values” and traditional Christian roots.
Mateusz Morawiecki, who is expected to be confirmed as prime minister this week, said his dream was to “re-Christianise the EU” in an interview with a Catholic channel.
Poland is a “great, proud nation”, he told TV Trwam, adding that it would not submit to “blackmail” from European leaders.
His comments come after the European Parliament passed a resolution threatening sanctions against Poland if it passed a series of measures, one of which is a plan to restrict abortions for foetal impairment.
The EU parliament also criticised proposed judicial reforms that would force two fifths of the Supreme Court’s judges to retire and overhaul the body that appoints new judges.
The resolution said the proposed measures were a “serious breach of European values,” and also demanded that Poland “take a firm stand on women’s rights, by providing free and accessible contraception without discrimination.”
When asked about the risk of the EU cutting funds to Poland, Morawiecki recalled former French president François Hollande, saying: “I do remember one former president telling us earlier this year ‘you have values, we have funds.’ Well, I would love to help the West with proper values.”
Morawiecki will succeed Beata Szydło, who tendered her resignation last week following a reorganisation in the ruling Law and Justice Party. Szydło, whose son is a priest, will likely still hold a major position in Morawiecki’s government.
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