Andrzej Duda's farewell message:"I am proud that we were able to meet great challenges"

On Tuesday, August 5, Andrzej Duda delivered his final presidential address."From the first to the last day of my presidency, I did everything possible to ensure the security and development of Poland and Poles. I pursued Polish issues intensively both here at home and internationally. And although during this time there was no shortage of extremely serious challenges that our homeland had to face, including various crises, a global pandemic, and finally the effects of a full-scale war just beyond our eastern border, I am proud that we were able to rise to these great challenges. Today, there is no doubt that Poland is a much more prosperous and secure country than it was even a decade ago. Therefore, as I end my term as President of the Republic of Poland, I can look you straight in the eye and say with full conviction: these were 10 very good years for Poland ," Duda said.

Andrzej Duda: I was the first president in history to visit all of Poland

"From the very beginning, I wanted to be close to the people, which is why I was the first president in history to visit all of Poland, every county. There were thousands of meetings, hundreds of thousands of conversations, millions of handshakes," Andrzej Duda emphasized."Many doubted when I declared in 2015 that Polish politics could be different, that the state could truly support families, that we would introduce the 500+ program, that the retirement age would be lowered, that our homeland would become safer, and the Polish army strengthened. Finally, that a politician's word to citizens doesn't have to be just an empty campaign promise, but the beginning of real action. At that time, the"it's impossible" narrative dominated Polish politics, expressed directly by the then-finance minister in Donald Tusk's government with the famous words: 'there is no money, and there won't be any,'" Andrzej Duda said. He was referring to Jacek Rostowski's statement from 2015. Duda stated that"he is a steadfast man and a man of faith" who kept his word to the voters, which makes him proud.

"Poland has become a country of a new format"

Andrzej Duda said that during his presidency,"Poland has become a new-fangled country" and achieved significant progress in the areas of defense, social policy, and diplomacy."Poland was right on key issues, warning Europe and the world about the threat posed by Putin and Russia, about dependence on Russian oil and gas, about hybrid warfare, and about irresponsible immigration policy," he said. Duda also stated that"we have ended the era of Russian energy blackmail," thanks to investments such as the construction of the gas port in Świnoujście and the launch of the Baltic Pipe.

Andrzej Duda on Karol Nawrocki's swearing-in: A true celebration of democracy

On Wednesday, August 6, Karol Nawrocki will be sworn in as president. Andrzej Duda said the ceremony will be a"true celebration of democracy." "I will proudly participate in this event as president concluding his ten-year service to Poland. I would also participate if the voters decided otherwise. Because respect for the nation's verdict and for the continuity of power is the foundation of democracy. Because it is Poles who decide, not politicians, not the media, not interest groups," Duda emphasized."Poland faces serious challenges. I wish President Karol Nawrocki good luck and success, and I hope that Poland grows stronger during his presidency," he added.

Andrzej Duda: I am not saying goodbye, I am remaining in service

"I'm not saying goodbye, I remain in service, albeit in a different role. I will remain active both in Poland and abroad, always championing the interests of the Republic of Poland. 'The future is called Poland' – that was the message I ran with in the 2015 elections. I haven't changed my mind over the past 10 years, and I still deeply believe in Poland and Poles," said Andrzej Duda."For me, for Andrzej Duda, the most important things in life have been and are: first, Poland, second, Poland, and third, only Poland. Long live a free, secure, and independent Republic of Poland. God bless Poland, Poles, and the Polish diaspora around the world," Duda concluded his address.