Polish MP accuses Juncker of ‘alcohol dependency’

Krystyna Pawlowicz, a Polish MP from the ruling Eurosceptic PiS party, has written a letter to Jean-Claude Juncker, accusing him of “alcohol dependency”.

She also called “distasteful” the fact that Juncker apparently took a nap in the Vatican during the celebration of the EU’s 60th anniversary.

Juncker w Watykanie

Pawlowicz, a deputy in the lower chamber of the Polish parliament, published her letter, signed 26 March, on Facebook.

Pawlowicz claims that Juncker’s “alcohol dependency” had become a “problem of the entire European community”, and that it was “unacceptable in the light of the universal cultural norms”.

The MP claims that the Commission president’s behaviour “discredits the citizens of the EU member states” and “offends them”.

“Therefore, I ask you to take a moment to reflect upon the recent events and to change the way in which you exercise your duties,” she writes.

Photos of Juncker apparently falling asleep in the Vatican were published in the Polish press, which also criticised the Commission President for hugging Pope Francis too hard.

One Polish website called him Juncker-Druncker.

Asked today (30 March) to comment on the Polish MP’s letter, Commission Spokesperson Alexandre Winterstein said he was not aware of it.

Poland’s governing PiS party, led by Jarosław Kaczyński, is at war with EU institutions.

The conflict intensified when Council President Donald Tusk, a former Polish premier from the pro-European Civic Platform (PO) was re-elected, against the wishes of Warsaw.

After EU defeat, Poland announces 'negative' policy towards Brussels

Poland, which lost a diplomatic campaign to oust its former premier Donald Tusk from his post as European Council president, has now accused the EU of “cheating” and announced a “negative” policy towards Brussels.

Poland was one of the countries behind a push for Juncker’s resignation following the Brexit referendum.

EU's Juncker under pressure to resign after Brexit vote

Pressure is building on Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to resign following the UK referendum, but also over the need to “change the habits” of his way to run the EU executive over the last two years.

The attack on Juncker may appear unfair, as the health of the former Luxembourg prime minister could also be part of the explanation. Although Juncker’s taste for alcohol is widely known, what may appear as drunkenness could also be the consequence of medicine.

Polish nationals with whom euractiv.com spoke said that when it comes to manners, Pawlowicz is not exactly the right person to criticise Juncker.

In Poland, the lawmaker is known for having eaten salad inside the plenary hall of the Polish parliament, illustrated by dozens of photos in on the Internet.

Read more with Euractiv

If you back Brexit, I'll call for Texit, Juncker tells Trump

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker today (30 March) warned US President Donald Trump that he would call for independence for Ohio and Texas, if the flamboyant millionaire kept backing Brexit.