Andrzej Duda absent from the gala inaugurating the Polish Presidency of the EU Council. This is what the invitation from the Prime Minister looked like

On Friday evening, a gala inaugurating the Polish Presidency of the EU Council took place at the Grand Theater in Warsaw. President Andrzej Duda did not attend, despite an official invitation. The head of state was represented by presidential advisor Wojciech Gerwel.

READ ALSO: Inauguration of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council without Andrzej Duda

The head of the presidential office, Małgorzata Paprocka, in a message received from her by TVN24's “Fakty po afternoon” reporter Piotr Parol, said, among other things, that “after sending the invitation, there was no contact with the Chancellery of the Prime Minister or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter.” “We can conclude from this that it was not an important event for the organizers,” she wrote.

Undersecretary of State in the Prime Minister's Office Agnieszka Rucińska announced on the X platformthat the official invitation to the opening gala of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council, signed by the Prime Minister Donald Tuskwas sent to the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland. She added that on December 31, the Chancellery of the Prime Minister received a reply that “the president will be represented by the deputy head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Piotr Ćwik.” “Everything in accordance with the procedures,” Rucińska emphasized.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, an Internet user sent it to the editorial office Contact24 photo of Andrzej Duda in ski clothes on the slope in Kluszkowce. As the Internet user added, the president was accompanied by at least two bodyguards. The president's presence on the slope was confirmed by a representative of the Czorsztyn Ski center in Kluszkowce in an interview with tvn24.pl.

TVN24 reporter Radomir Wit in the “W Kuluarach” program showed the official invitation sent to the presidential office.

– This is a letter signed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, addressed to President Andrzej Duda. This was the letter that was received by the president's office on December 29, he announced and read its contents.

– Dear Mr. President, on January 1, 2025, Poland will (for the second time) take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union and will manage its work for six months. It is a special privilege, but also a great obligation. The effectiveness of the European Union at this historically important moment will largely depend on the Polish Presidency. I am confident that we will make the most of this opportunity. On this special occasion, I would like to invite you and your wife to the opening gala of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The event will take place on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 8 p.m. at the Grand Theater of the National Opera in Warsaw. With respect, Donald Tusk – he quoted.

TVN24 reporter Agata Adamek said that “President Andrzej Duda, by not attending this ceremony, actually deprived himself of the attention he deserved in this situation.” – I think he did it to spite himself by not coming to the meeting – she said.

However, she noted, the president was seen in Kluszkowce on a ski slope. – He was on this slope since Saturday morning. If someone is a skier, they know that it takes a while to pack for skis. So he was probably just packing for skiing on Friday evening. If he had gone on Sunday, there would probably have been a little less criticism against him. But yes, the matter is obvious, said the journalist.

>> “You could have said it right away, in human terms, everyone would understand.” Tusk on Duda's absence <<

In her opinion, it is interesting that the president delegated advisor Wojciech Gerwel as his representative. – I checked what Minister Gerwel does in the president's office and what his political CV is. In short, what was behind the decision to send him? Well, when he worked there, he dealt with non-European politics at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Asian market, among others. He was also an ambassador in Vietnam once upon a time – she said.

Piotr Kraśko noted that the president's entourage, commenting on Andrzej Duda's absence, pointed to the absence of politicians such as the head of the European Commission or the president of the European Parliament.

– It is Poland that takes over the presidency of the European Union, this event takes place in Poland and is dedicated primarily to Polish citizens. Roberta Metsola is a citizen MaltaI am convinced, would be present in Malta if there was something important related to Malta's presidency of the European Union – said the journalist of “Fakty” TVN.

The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, was present at the event in Warsaw.