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Gov't spokesman: we will not agree to Macron using Poland during campaign

PR dla Zagranicy
Roberto Galea 28.04.2017 08:53
The Polish government does not agree to French presidential hopeful Emmanuel Macron using Poland as an argument during his campaign, government spokesman Rafał Bochenek has said.
French presidential election candidate Emmanuel Macron. Photo: EPA/JULIEN DE ROSA French presidential election candidate Emmanuel Macron. Photo: EPA/JULIEN DE ROSA

Macron said on Thursday that if he is elected, France would argue for the European Union to introduce sanctions against Poland.

“When the rights and values of the European Union are not respected, I want sanctions to be taken,” he was quoted by Reuters as saying.

“In the three months after I'm elected, there will be a decision on Poland,” Macron was quoted as saying.

“You cannot have a European Union which argues over every single decimal place on the issue of budgets with each country, and which, when you have an EU member which acts like Poland or Hungary on issues linked to universities and learning, or refugees, or fundamental values, decides to do nothing.”

Since coming to power in late 2015, the conservative government in Warsaw has been embroiled in a dispute with Brussels on several issues, ranging from adherence to the rule of law to media freedom, as well as Poland's reluctance to accept refugees as part of an EU programme.

The Polish government's spokesman called Macron's statements “unfortunate”, adding that the “Polish government will not agree to being used in this way during the presidential campaign in France”.

The second round of the presidential election between Macron and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen will be held on 7 May. (rg/pk)

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