Poland’s foreign minister, Radosław Sikorski, has emphasized that any foreign influence in Poland’s elections would be deemed illegal. Addressing the issue on January 6 at the Conference of Ambassadors in Paris, he highlighted the need to safeguard the nation’s democratic process.
“We must prepare to protect our election process so that it is the Polish people who choose our president, not foreigners,” Sikorski asserted, responding to allegations of interference by Elon Musk in political affairs across Europe, including Germany and the UK.
French President Emmanuel Macron has accused Musk of backing a “new reactionary international” movement, with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre echoing concerns that Musk’s actions could erode trust among Western allies.
When asked whether Musk might meddle in Poland’s May election, Sikorski didn’t mince words: “It seems he is already trying to do so in the UK.” He further warned that any such attempts in Poland would violate the law.
The Polish election is shaping up to be a face-off between Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s Civic Coalition candidate, Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, and the ruling PiS party’s candidate, Karol Nawrocki, who aligns with US President-elect Donald Trump. Musk has previously criticized Trzaskowski, accusing him of “copying the worst traits coming from America” after the mayor ordered the removal of Christian crosses from public spaces.
While Polish law prohibits foreign funding for political parties or candidates, it doesn’t ban international figures from expressing opinions or showing support. Sikorski’s remarks also followed Musk’s controversial endorsements on X, including support for Germany’s far-right AfD party, criticism of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and calls for leadership changes within the UK’s Reform Party.
The Polish government has recently praised Romania’s Constitutional Court for canceling its presidential elections over alleged Russian interference. Sikorski’s comments reflect Poland’s determination to ensure its elections remain free from foreign manipulation.
