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4 stycznia prezydent Andrzej Duda wybrał się na narty w Kluszkowcach, a nie na ważną galę w Warszawie. Gala dotyczyła objęcia prezydencji w Unii Europejskiej przez Polskę. Duda był reprezentowany przez swojego doradcę . Jego nieobecność wywołała dyskusje o jego priorytetach .
Translation
On 4th January, President Andrzej Duda opted to go skiing in Kluszkowce instead of attending an important gala in Warsaw. The gala was concerning Poland's assumption of the presidency of the European Union. President Duda was represented by his advisor, which sparked discussions on his priorities.
Exercise: Text comprehension
Question 1: Where did President Duda go on January 4th?
President Duda went skiing in Kluszkowce on January 4th.
Question 2: Who represented President Duda at the important gala in Warsaw?
President Duda was represented by his advisor at the gala in Warsaw.
Exercise: Vocabulary
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▌05/01/2025
President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, has found himself at the centre of a public debate following his decision to go skiing on the same weekend as a significant diplomatic event. On January 4th, he was spotted on the slopes in Kluszkowce, a popular skiing location in the Lesser Poland region, which sparked discussion due to his absence from an important gala the previous evening.
The gala in question marked the start of Poland’s six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, held at the Grand Theatre in Warsaw on January 3rd. Despite receiving an official invitation, President Duda chose not to attend, opting instead for a ski outing. His presence at the ski resort was confirmed by a representative of the Czorsztyn-Ski resort and evidenced by photographs circulating on social media.
According to Małgorzata Paprocka, the head of the Presidential Chancellery, there was no follow-up contact from the event organisers after sending the invitation, which led them to believe the president's attendance was not deemed crucial. Meanwhile, the president was represented at the gala by his advisor, Wojciech Gerwel.
President Duda's Ski Trip Sparks Controversy (Illustration)
Former Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented on the situation, suggesting the explanations for Duda's absence were overly complex, joking on social media that a straightforward response about the president's whereabouts would have been better understood by the public. He also expressed good wishes for Duda's skiing experience.
This incident has reignited discussions about President Duda's priorities, as he is known for his enthusiasm for skiing. In April 2023, he was also seen on the slopes of Kasprowy Wierch, enjoying the sport alongside top Polish alpine skiers.
The juxtaposition of the diplomatic gala and Duda's skiing trip has raised questions about his involvement and commitment to the duties associated with Poland’s EU leadership role. The government and its officials, including Deputy Minister of European Affairs Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, have expressed disappointment over his absence, highlighting his previous interest in the presidency.
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