In fresh days the Sejm Committee on abroad Affairs has issued a affirmative opinion on the candidacy of Senator Citizen Coalition and erstwhile Minister of National Defence, Bogdan Klich, for the position of Ambassador of Poland to the United States. However, despite the support of the committee, president Andrzej Duda has already announced that he does not intend to sign this nomination, which puts the future of this candidacy under a large question mark.
Voting in the Committee on abroad Affairs
15 members of the abroad Affairs Committee voted for Bogdan Klich's candidacy, while 12 were against. However, the decision of the committee on a affirmative advice is not binding on the President, who has the last word on the appointment of ambassadors.
It is worth noting that in addition to Klich's candidacy, the committee besides voted on the appointments for the positions of Polish ambassadors in Austria and at the Council of Europe. In both cases, the nominees – Zenon Kosiniak-Kamysz and Aleksander Pociej – received affirmative reviews. Kosiniak-Kamish is an experienced diplomat, and Potej is simply a well-known lawyer and politician.
Klich and his past
Bogdan Klich's candidacy is controversial, not only due to the political context. Klich, erstwhile Minister of National Defence, served in 2010 – during the Smolensk disaster, in which president Lech Kaczyński died, among others. It is for this reason, as any sources indicate, that president Andrzej Duda announced that he would not sign Klich's nomination.
It is worth noting that even though the president has the right to veto the candidates for ambassadors, this situation is comparatively rare. In many cases nominations are a formality after receiving a affirmative opinion from the committee. However, in the case of Bogdan Klich, the political past and related emotions seem to play a key role.
Policy responses
The decision of the Committee on abroad Affairs has sparked various reactions among politicians. Aleksandra K. Wiśniewska, associate of the Civic Coalition, was pleased to announce on platform X (formerly Twitter) that the committee had given a affirmative opinion to Klich, writing: “It is time for a strong and proven voice in our relation with Washington. Congratulations!”
However, the reactions from the government and the presidential camp were much more restrained. president Duda himself, in relation to Klich's candidacy, stated: “I am not going to sign this nomination.”
What about Klich's candidacy?
The future of Bogdan Klich's candidacy as the Polish Ambassador to the United States is being questioned. Although president Duda has not yet issued an authoritative veto, his public announcements propose that the nomination is improbable to succeed. If the president actually refuses to sign the nomination, it will be essential to find a fresh candidate for this prestigious position.
This could affect Polish-American relations, especially in the context of ongoing tensions on the global phase and the function of the United States in east Europe. Therefore, the election of the Polish Ambassador to Washington is of large importance for Polish diplomacy.
Summary
Although the Committee on abroad Affairs gave a affirmative opinion on the candidacy of Bogdan Klich, president Andrzej Duda expressed his firm opposition to his appointment as Ambassador to the United States. The past of the Smolensk disaster and political differences seem to be key factors in this decision. The case is inactive open and its further improvement will be crucial not only on the national but besides internationally.
Bogdan Klich won't be the Ambassador of Poland to the United States? president Duda announces veto
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Bogdan Klich won't be the Ambassador of Poland to the United States? president Duda announces veto
