– Mariusz Błaszczak should follow the example of other ministers of the Law and Justice government who remain politely silent. They understand what happened on October 15 – said Tomasz Siemoniak, former Minister of Defense, guest of Monika Olejnik, in the “Kropka nad i” program. In this way, he referred to Błaszczak’s allegations regarding the size of the army.
Tomasz Siemoniak, asked in “Kropka nad i” whether he will become a minister in the new government, replied that “it is not known because the talks are still ongoing.” As stated by the chairman of the Civic Coalition Donald Tusk will be the first to announce who will be in the new government.
During the conversation, a question was also asked whether a doctor could be the Minister of Defense. It was a suggestion for the candidacy of Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. Siemoniak said that Kosiniak-Kamysz is a political leader and such a political leader can be the head of any ministry. – I value him very highly, I consider him a very decent man – argued the former defense minister in the government of Donald Tusk and Ewa Kopacz.
Tomasz Siemoniak was a guest of the “Kropka nad i” program TVN24
Generals left due to ‘growing hostility and lack of trust’
The conversation also concerned the high-profile departure from service of two Polish generals, Rajmund Andrzejczak and Tomasz Piotrowski. The former defense minister said they left not because of the “atmosphere” but “growing hostility and lack of trust.”
As Siemoniak stated, when the new head of the Minister of Defense is appointed, he will consider the issues of commanders. – It is not the role of politicians today, in the situation we have, to question the role of the head of the General Staff – he said.
Siemoniak also responded to the accusations of the current Minister of Defense Mariusz Błaszczakwho – quoting Siemoniak’s statement that “we cannot afford an army of 300,000 people” announced that “this means layoffs in the Polish Armed Forces, liquidation of units and reduced security of Poland.”
– Błaszczak is an embarrassing liar. I said clearly – 150,000 professional soldiers and then I mentioned how much territorial defense and voluntary service there should be. It was clear from my statement: an army of 220,000. He heard that it was 150,000 and started the attack. Today, there are no demographics for a 300,000-strong army, said Siemoniak.
– Minister Błaszczak cannot part with his position – he added.
Main photo source: TVN24