EU criticism of Poland ‘overblown’: US ambassador

The US ambassador to Poland said the European Union’s criticism of Poland’s adherence to democracy is “overblown,” as Warsaw faces cuts to EU budget funds over its judiciary reforms.

Since coming to power in 2015, Poland’s ruling right-wing nationalist and populist Law and Justice (PiS) party has faced criticism from the EU over its overhaul of the country’s judiciary system, with Brussels accusing Poland of violating EU laws.

As its relationship with the EU has faltered, PiS has focused on building strong ties with the United States, especially since President Donald Trump came to power in 2016.

“If you’re asking me … do I think that a lot of the attacks on Poland about democratic values is overblown, my answer is yes, I do,” US ambassador to Poland Georgette Mosbacher told Reuters in an interview.

The EU is struggling to respond to what many in western Europe see as creeping authoritarianism in the eastern wing of the bloc, especially Poland, Hungary and Romania.

In an election on July 12, Polish President Andrzej Duda, PiS’s loyal ally, won a second term in office, reinforcing the government’s mandate to pursue reforms of the judiciary and media.

“I think there were homophobic undertones,” Mosbacher said of the campaign. “Do I like it? No. And I’m pretty vocal on that publicly.”

(Reuters)