World News

Polish opposition leader suggests EU exit talks could pressure bloc

Jarosław Kaczyński said nationalist-led countries could use exit negotiations as leverage, and Donald Tusk and Kaczyński dispute his remarks.

Updated Oct 29, 2026 · 18:24 UTC2 reports

The short version

Poland's main opposition leader, Jarosław Kaczyński, suggested nationalist-led countries could open EU withdrawal talks to press the bloc into returning powers to member states.[Associated Press · ABC News]
Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote that Kaczyński called for Poland to start exit negotiations, a reading Kaczyński rejects as a misrepresentation of his stance.[Associated Press · ABC News]
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said the remarks should show voters the consequences of backing the far right before general elections about a year away.[Associated Press · ABC News]

Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of the national-conservative Law and Justice party, made the remarks on Wednesday at an economic forum in southern Poland.[Associated Press · ABC News]
Kaczyński suggested that countries led by nationalist parties could open EU withdrawal negotiations to pressure the bloc to return powers to member states.[Associated Press · ABC News]
Kaczyński said the European Union must be changed.[Associated Press · ABC News]
Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X that Kaczyński announced Poland should begin negotiations on the conditions of leaving the EU, and Kaczyński accused Tusk of misrepresenting his intentions.[Associated Press · ABC News]
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said Kaczyński's remarks should help Polish voters understand the consequences of choosing the far right.[Associated Press · ABC News]

Tusk's reading of Kaczyński's remarks is disputed by Kaczyński, and the reporting does not establish which account is accurate.[Associated Press · ABC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.