MFA replaces Poland's permanent representative to EU with Tusk's former aide

Andrzej Sadoś headed Poland's Permanent Representative to the European Union since the beginning of 2018. Piotr Serafin has been appointed acting chief of Poland's EU permanent representation.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the European Union Andrzej Sadoś was recalled to Poland and exempt from the obligation to perform work pursuant to Article 39(3) of the Foreign Service Act," the Polish MFA said in a statement on Thursday.

"As of 13 December 2023, the Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels has been headed by Piotr Serafin, appointed in the capacity of minister plenipotentiary," it added.

MFA spokesman Paweł Wroński was asked about Sadoś's recalling at a press conference on Thursday. "I would like to protest against claims and theories ... that the current situation is lowering Poland's standing. Poland's position stems from the standing of its representatives. Ambassador Sadoś - with all due respect - does not represent the kind of political force as the well-known and respected in Brussels Mr Piotr Serafin, who also enjoys full confidence of Donald Tusk," Wroński said.

"If we want our Polish interest be represented well in Brussels, then it's better it's represented by a man who has prime minister's trust, who is his man, who knows all corridors in Brussels, and who would successfully solve problems there instead of creating them, unlike ambassador Sadoś who was carrying out orders of the previous government," he added.

Referring to the formal issues, the spokesman said that Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski had earlier informed President Andrzej Duda about the change. "Voices have been raised that the prime minister cannot nominate an ambassador. Piotr Serafin is not an ambassador, he is a minister plenipotentiary. The Minister of Foreign Affairs moves here precisely in line with the constitution, stricly in line with the laws, even those recently adopted," Wroński explained.

"From the president's perspective, it's also important whether the president wants us to be represented well in Brussels, or he wants us to represented, let's say, worse," the MFA spokesman added, stressing that he would not want to be "instructing the president".

Asked when Sikorski would file a request to remove minister Sadoś from office, the spokesman explained that it was not about removing anyone. "Ambassador Sadoś has been summoned to Warsaw for consultations, he wasn't removed from office."

Wroński added that Sadoś was still ambassador, only that he was not expected to carry on with his work anymore. Asked about the procedure that would allow Serafin to fully replace Sadoś, the spokesman said that "decisions in that regard are made by the president". He also said a proper request regarding recalling and appointing would be sent over to the president as "there cannot be two persons in one office".

Head of the presidential International Policy Bureau Mieszko Pawlak told PAP that President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk had discussed the issue on Monday. "As it's the prime minister and the Council of Ministers who are responsible for the European policy, there is full understanding and consent on the president's part to the prime minister having his associate at the Permanent Representation of Poland to the European Union," the presiential minister said.

Pawlak also noted that the request to recall Andrzej Sadoś has not yet been sent to the president's office.

According to the foreign service act, ambassadors report to the MFA chief. Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the European Union, on the other hand, is appointed and recalled the president on a joint request by the foreign minister and minister for EU affairs, which has to be approved by the prime minister.

In 2014–2019, Piotr Serafin was Head of Cabinet of the President of the European Council Donald Tusk. Before that, he was Secretary of State for Europe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2014 and worked at the Office of the Committee for European Integration from 1999 to 2010.