Poland staged a major diplomatic purge: 50 ambassadors were recalled

Diplomats appointed by the right-wing nationalist government have lost their posts

Poland is recalling 50 ambassadors appointed by the country’s former right-wing government. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the move was “not retaliatory”, although the Foreign Ministry said changes were already underway.

Warsaw is recalling 50 of its ambassadors as part of the new, pro-European government’s efforts to improve diplomatic missions at a sensitive time, the country’s foreign ministry said.

In a statement, the ministry said the change of ambassadors was “necessary” and would serve to “better, more professionally carry out the complex tasks” facing Poland’s foreign policy, The Guardian writes.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was crucial to have a team of loyal ambassadors when neighboring Ukraine is fighting an armed conflict against Russia. He stressed that this is “not retaliation” for his predecessors.

All the diplomats were appointed by the previous right-wing administration, which ruled for eight years until December, when a tripartite opposition alliance won an outright majority in Poland’s elections and took power with Donald Tusk as prime minister, The Guardian notes.

The government statement did not name any of the ambassadors being recalled by Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, and did not say when the recalled ambassadors would be replaced or whether any foreign posts would be cut.

But the ministry reported that the procedure had already begun, The Guardian emphasizes.

The Associated Press reported that the withdrawal of diplomats may not meet with the approval of President Andrzej Duda, who was linked to the previous right-wing government and is a critic of Tusk.

Unless President Duda approves the changes, the chargés d’affaires will remain heads of mission in places where ambassadors have been ordered to return home.

Donald Tusk has said he has a high opinion of the work of Poland’s ambassador to the US, Marek Magerowski, suggesting that particular envoy may not be recalled.

During its years in power, the ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party has been accused of undermining the rule of law in Poland, rolling back abortion rights and targeting minorities. Her actions have sparked a feud with the EU over issues ranging from the independence of the judiciary to the rights of sexual minorities, The Guardian writes.

After Tusk was confirmed as prime minister in December, he vowed to “get things right.”

“We can correct the mistakes so that everyone, without exception, can feel at home,” he said then.