Energy topics in the exposé of candidates for the office of Prime Minister from 2005 to 2023

Abstract

The topic of energy, and particularly ensuring the energy security of Poland, has been a central point in the ongoing political debate about national security. For many years, numerous activities and projects have been undertaken to change the structure of the supply of natural gas and crude oil to Poland, aiming to reduce energy dependence on the Russian Federation. The speeches of candidates for the office of Prime Minister in parliament are a crucial starting point for the actions taken by successive government cabinets in the following months and years. In this context, such discussions serve as an important foundation for subsequent regulatory and diplomatic activities by the established government. The cognitive purpose of this article is to critically analyze the statements of candidates for the post of Prime Minister from 2005 to 2023 concerning energy policy within the framework of parliamentary debates. The structure of the article is issue-based, with the candidates’ speeches grouped into two chapters. This subject matter is pertinent to the study of the political thought of Polish political parties, especially regarding energy policy. The article employs the analysis of testimonies and traces of political thought used at the time to examine perceptions of political reality.