'We are 27 different countries, 27 different sensitivities, and 27 different economies. The Treaties oblige us to respect both solidarity, and the interests of all member states.'

ECR MEP Beata Szydło on the preparation of the European Council meeting of 10-11 December 2020:

“Mr. Chairman, Mrs. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,

“Many of you spoke about solidarity, about the rule of law, you invoked the principles that should be applied in the European Union, because they were the basis for the creation of our Community.

“But it is the European Parliament, it is you, who propose breaking these rules.

“In the Treaties, there is no link between European funds, the European budget, the payment of these funds, and the rule of law.

“It is an attempt by the majority in this Parliament to impose rules that are not enshrined in the Treaties, that are not binding, that the EU has never discussed and adopted.

“So if you are talking about the rule of law, you have to answer the question - are you not breaking this rule of law right now?

“Poland, my country, has often been mentioned here, and I must tell you that we continue to protect the rule of law in Poland.

“In democratic elections, Poles elected my party into power, Law and Justice, which formed the government and which consistently implements the program which Polish citizens voted for.

“And the Polish government cares about the interests of Poland and the interests of Poles, because this is the primary role of the Polish government – a mandate given to us in democratic elections.

“However, here you are trying to convince everyone in this room that the July agreement assumed something different than what was actually agreed.

“This is because, at that time, the rule of law or the discussion that was taking place then was going in a completely different direction and you know that perfectly well.

“You cannot arbitrarily impose the will of a majority to a minority just because you, representing the majority of the European Parliament here, believe that what is good for you is good for the European Union.

“It is not so. The EU consists of 27 countries, 27 sensitivities, 27 nations, 27 economies.

“And our duty, given to us under Treaties and the principle idea on which the EU was built, obliges us to seek solidarity, taking into account the interests of all Member States and all Europeans, and to care for and to protect the interests of all EU residents.”