There had been speculation that PiS, the main opposition party in Poland, might leave ECR to join a new far-right bloc in the parliament.
One such bloc —
“Patriots for Europe” — was recently launched by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán alongside far-right leaders from Austria and the Czech Republic. There were reports suggesting that, owing to ideological similarities, PiS could consider joining this new grouping.
However, PiS has now quashed such rumors. During the ECR’s meeting in Sicily on Wednesday, the party confirmed its commitment to stay within the bloc for the remainder of this term in the European Parliament.
“… The decision has been made: we are staying in the ECR,” PiS Member of Parliament (MEP) Kosma Złotowski told Polish Press Agency (PAP).
The faction’s presidium saw Poles maintaining their positions, with PiS MEP Joachim Brudziński
taking the co-chairman’s seat and Złotowski once again assuming the role of co-treasurer.
At present, Gabriel Beszłej, a Pole, serves as the secretary general, although his tenure is set to conclude in mid-July. According to PAP, another Pole is set to replace him, but the Polish delegation has chosen not to disclose the candidate’s name.
Złotowski said in the interview with PAP that despite the larger Italian representation this term, the Polish delegation had successfully managed to retain its leadership position within the group from the previous term.
“Further political decisions will be made at the group's meeting next week,” he added.
