Polish Lawmakers Clash Over Historical Comments and National Identity

A fiery parliamentary session in Poland saw a sharp exchange between lawmakers, ignited by criticism directed at Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and subsequent accusations of hypocrisy.

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You are parasites, traitors to the Polish nation and the interests of the Polish nation.

The dispute began when MP Dariusz Matecki sharply criticized Kosiniak-Kamysz and fellow PSL party member Jarosław Rzepa. Matecki accused Kosiniak-Kamysz of disrespecting Poles by downplaying the Volhynia massacre. Rzepa retaliated, calling Matecki a "political parasite" and accusing him of exploiting base instincts.

Former education minister Przemysław Czarnek then entered the fray, labeling Rzepa and his party as "traitors to the Polish nation." Czarnek's main attack focused on remarks made by Deputy Minister of Science Andrzej Szeptycki. Szeptycki had compared members of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) to Poland's "cursed soldiers," acknowledging their fight for Ukrainian independence while also referencing the UPA's role in the Volhynia massacre.

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This was a formation that – regardless of what you say about the Volhynia massacre – fought for the independence of Ukraine, fought within that Ukrainian imaginarium primarily against the Soviets and it was a hopeless fight. They were a bit like, with all the positive and negative connotations of the word, a bit like Ukrainian cursed soldiers.

Czarnek vehemently condemned Szeptycki's comments, calling the UPA perpetrators of genocide against Poles. He questioned why Szeptycki remained in the government, suggesting the current administration had frozen a previous law aimed at combating "Banderism" and "Volhynian lies" to accommodate such views. Czarnek demanded a recess to address why "Ukrainians insulting Poles" were still part of the government, referencing Szeptycki's Ukrainian heritage.

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The government claims, Mr. Szeptycki is from this government, that Ukrainian genocidal nationalists from OUN-UPA are like cursed soldiers.

Following Czarnek, independent MP Janusz Kowalski broadened the inquiry, initiating parliamentary checks across ministries to investigate the "Ukrainization of public administration and government."

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I demand a recess in the proceedings and the convening of a convention of seniors to clarify this matter, why there are still Ukrainians in this government who insult Poles.