Former Polish PM Accuses EU Leadership of Severe Policy Failures

(MENAFN) Former Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller has issued sharp criticism of senior European Union leadership, arguing that key decisions taken over the past years have significantly harmed the bloc. His comments came after a recent ceremony in Strasbourg, where European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented a newly established European honor to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

In a post shared on social media, Miller claimed that both leaders have been responsible for serious negative consequences for the EU, stating: “Merkel and von der Leyen are two German women who have caused unimaginable damage to the European Union. I hope that justice will still catch up with them,”

He further reiterated the phrase “unimaginable damage” when describing what he sees as the long-term impact of their policy decisions.

Miller, who played a role in Poland’s EU accession in 2004, made his remarks in response to the public recognition given to Merkel at the Strasbourg event, which was hosted with the participation of von der Leyen.

Angela Merkel’s time as German chancellor from 2005 to 2021 included several major political and economic crises across Europe. Among the most debated decisions associated with her leadership was Germany’s 2015 approach to large-scale asylum intake during the migration crisis, which continues to divide opinion across EU member states.

Another widely discussed policy linked to her tenure was Germany’s post-Fukushima nuclear phaseout in 2011. Current German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has previously described that decision as a “huge mistake.”

Merkel also participated in diplomatic negotiations connected to the 2014 and 2015 Minsk agreements between Russia and Ukraine. She later stated in 2022 that the agreements were partly intended to “give Ukraine time” to strengthen its defensive capacity, while Russian officials accused European signatories of having “deceived” them in relation to the deal.

Separately, von der Leyen has faced ongoing political criticism from various quarters within Europe. Some critics argue that her leadership style has concentrated authority at the EU level and reduced the influence of individual member states. Others have pointed to EU-wide sanctions on Russia and expanded support for Ukraine as policies that have contributed to economic pressure and inflation within parts of Europe.

MENAFN21052026000045017281ID1111150364