CEPA boss ‘surprised’ by Duda following

“I would expect to see Poland continue to be led by individuals with a strong commitment to the Atlantic bond, and with an understanding of the very high strategic stakes brought about by the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” said A. Wess Mitchell, the president of CEPA, baed in Washington, DC.

“I do not expect to see – if there is any change in Polish political leadership, or of there is a continuation of the current leadership – a major change in the strategic relationship with the United States. For the simple reason that it’s in the Polish strategic interest, and also in the American strategic interest, to continue a deep defence cooperation. Cooperation in energy and commerce.

“I think that Poland’s political leadership and potential future leadership agree with the broad direction of that relationship.

“My sense of the Polish political discourse is that leaders from both of the major parties, share a broad commitment to European integration and Poland’s membership in NATO.

“I think there are substantive differences, particularly with regard to the European Union, and to the tactics as how to approach the relationship with Russia, but broadly speaking, I think the geopolitical crisis in the East and Poland’s place in the Western community of nations […] I think there is a broad agreement by both of the major presidential candidates on the need to keep Poland on a Western economic and strategic course.

“I was very surprised. I was surprised by the numbers and the amount of attention and support that Mr Duda has been able to attract. What did not surprise me was to see the incumbent challenged. I think that this is inherent in the nature of democracy, that people tend to see things in the current status quo that they question.

“It’s not clear to me what course this takes in the second round.”

Duda and Komorowski will face each other in the second round of the presidential election on Sunday. (rg)

Source: PAP