Ten Years of Andrzej Duda’s Presidency. What Did the Outgoing President Say in His Farewell Address to the Nation?

In his address delivered on August 5, 2025, marking the end of his ten-year term, President Andrzej Duda summarised his service at the helm of the state, painting a picture of Poland as a country that has undergone a profound transformation over the past decade. It was a speech filled with reflection, pride, and gratitude both toward the citizens and his collaborators, as well as toward history, which, as he repeatedly emphasised, shapes national identity.

The President began his speech by identifying the two most important priorities that guided him from the very beginning of his term: ensuring Poland’s security and supporting its development. In his narrative, the past decade was a time of great trials: the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and global crises, which, in his view, Poland faced with dignity and strength.

He emphasised that today, Poland is a wealthier country, better prepared militarily, with greater international influence and a stronger position in global structures.

Andrzej Duda expressed sincere gratitude to the citizens who entrusted him with their votes twice. He placed great importance on being present throughout the country, reminding the audience that he was the first president in history to visit all counties in Poland, attending thousands of meetings and holding countless conversations with citizens. This symbolic gesture, he said, carried more value for him than political declarations; it was the hallmark of a presidency “close to the people.”

A significant part of the address was dedicated to tangible achievements, which, according to the president, prove that politics can be effective and consistent. He recalled the implementation of social programs such as 500+ (later increased to 800+), the lowering of the retirement age, and the expansion of the military. He stressed that his goal was to make political promises binding, and he believes he succeeded in doing so. He identified a key turning point in 2015 when he challenged the prevailing belief that "nothing can be done" and proved that a different approach is indeed possible.

Foreign policy was another important theme in his speech. The president reminded the audience that he had made hundreds of international visits, placing strong emphasis on security diplomacy. A particularly central role in his policy was assigned to transatlantic relations, and he repeatedly stated that a strong alliance with the United States is a cornerstone of Poland’s national interest.

In his account, Poland became a key player on the international stage both through the presence of allied troops on its territory and by warning the West about the threat posed by Russia. He also mentioned regional formats co-created by Poland, such as the Three Seas Initiative and the Bucharest Nine, as well as solidarity with Ukraine as essential pillars of his administration’s policy.

He also placed considerable emphasis on historical heritage. He referenced anniversaries that occurred during his presidency, the centenary of regaining independence in 2018 and the millennium of the coronation of Bolesław the Brave in 2025. Both events, he said, were opportunities to demonstrate that Polish statehood is not a coincidence, but the result of a long-term effort by generations.

In the closing part of his address, he expressed his belief that Poland would continue as a free, secure, and sovereign state provided it remains faithful to its values. He showed respect for the election of Karol Nawrocki as the new President of the Republic of Poland, indicating a continuation of the directions he had pursued over the years.

Although this was an official farewell to the role of head of state, Andrzej Duda made it clear that he is not bidding farewell to Poland or the Polish people. He announced that he would remain active in a new role, but with the same mission, caring for the affairs of the Republic.

The speech concluded with a powerful and symbolically charged message, a declaration of faith in an ambitious Poland, rooted in tradition but looking toward the future. He emphasised that throughout the decade, three things had always mattered most to him: "first Poland, second Poland, and third only Poland."

In his address, Andrzej Duda presented the decade of his presidency as a time of success, stability, and the restoration of Poland’s agency on the global stage. It was a speech both evaluative and emotional, with a clear focus on gratitude, values, and national identity. More than just a summary of a term in office, it served as a symbolic passing of the torch in the spirit of continuity, democracy, and responsibility.

Editorial team of Wyspa TV