*Dear Compatriots,*
*Ladies and Gentlemen!*
*The year just ending was a year of change in Polish politics. After eight years, the parliamentary majority in our country has changed, the prime minister has changed, the government has changed.*
*But the most important task facing those in power has not changed. This is the need to take care of the security of our homeland. For the security of Polish women and men. This was the case in 2023, and it will be exactly the same in the year 2024, which is just beginning!*
*Serious external threats to our Homeland have not disappeared anywhere. There is still a full-scale war going on across our eastern border. Therefore, we must constantly strengthen and modernize the Polish army. Strengthen alliances. There can be no turning back from this policy. Poland’s security has no price! And for me it is and will be the most important Polish issue! As the head of the armed forces, I am always ready to cooperate with the government on topics concerning the strengthening of our security.*
*Ladies and Gentlemen,*
*Dear Compatriots!*
*We are dealing with a new situation in Polish politics. The President and the government are from different political camps. This is normal in a democracy. But in a democracy you have to respect the Constitution, the rule of law and good political manners.*
*Unfortunately, in recent days the government coalition, in an attempt to take over the public media, has violated these principles. For the first time in free Poland after 1989, there was an attempt to take over the public media by force, the TV signal of some channels was turned off, and news programs stopped broadcasting. Finally, Polish Television, Polish Radio and the Polish Press Agency were put into liquidation.*
*I would like to make this clear: –governors can reform the public media, but it must be done in accordance with the law. I have always been and am open to such a discussion regarding legal changes. However, from my side there will never be consent to violate the Constitution. And this is the situation we are facing now, unfortunately.*
*Further announcements of making important decisions by means of parliamentary resolutions are also a matter of serious concern. Resolutions of the Sejm do not have the legal force to form the basis for action by state bodies with consequences for citizens. Such actions also blatantly contradict the Constitution. If we condone such practices today, in the future any new parliamentary majority will be able to act in this way.*
*As President of the Republic, I will forcefully and in accordance with my constitutional powers oppose such actions. Therefore, I call on the government coalition to start respecting the principles of a democratic state under the rule of law and to respect citizens regardless of their political views. This should be your political New Year’s resolutions!*
*It should be made clear: legal chaos and internal conflict in Poland leads to a weakening of our state, and consequently a weakening of our security. We have already faced such a situation. I remember it well, as I was a minister in the Chancellery of President Lech Kaczynski when Donald Tusk previously headed the government.*
*I have learned from that situation. I am ready to cooperate on the most important issues for Poland, but I am also prepared for the situation that the government will not want such cooperation!*
*Dear Compatriots,*
*Ladies and Gentlemen!*
*The year 2024, which is just beginning, is also a time of important anniversaries: the 25th anniversary of Poland’s accession to the North Atlantic Alliance and the 20th anniversary of Poland’s entry into the European Union. Poland’s presence in NATO, as well as in the Union, are the foundations of our security. I have said this many times. It is the Polish raison d’etat!*
*But our presence in the Union and in NATO requires that we constantly strive to advance Polish interests. The occasion for this will be the July summit of the Alliance in Washington, as well as the election of the new authorities of the European Union. It will also be a year of preparation for our presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2025. During the presidency, we can push even harder for our priorities: greater U.S. involvement in Europe, expanding the Union east and south, and strengthening energy security.*
*Dear Compatriots,*
*Ladies and Gentlemen!*
*Despite the great emotions we have in Polish politics, the numerous unrest in the world and the great drama of the war that is taking place beyond our eastern border, may this be a good year for Poland, for Polish affairs and Polish families. May it be a good year for you in your personal and professional lives.*
*I wish you health, happiness, love and peace.*
*Happy New Year!*
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`Translated with` [`DeepL.com`](https://DeepL.com)
by Waste_Ad55