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Polish lawmakers express concern over data showing Polish army is shrinking

Krzysztof Tuduj called on the government to provide precise data and explain the situation

WARSAW, January 31. /TASS/. Polish lawmakers of the Confederation party are concerned that the Polish military is shrinking even as the government plans to boost its ranks to 300,000 servicemen, parliament member Krzysztof Tuduj said at a news conference on Tuesday.

He said news media reported that 8,988 professional servicemen quit the armed forces in 2022, which is one-third more than a year earlier. In January of 2023 there were 4,392 departures from the military. Also, he said almost 8,000 people left from the territorial defense forces in 2022.

"All in all, 16,000-17,000 soldiers took off their military uniforms," Tuduj said.

According to the Polish Ministry of National Defense, the Polish army now numbers 164,000 people. That number is planned to be increased to 300,000.

"Large funds have been allocated for these purposes in the budget, which are not controlled by the parliament. The main question that arises there is what the situation is like in reality?" the lawmaker said.

"Plans for 300,000, unfortunately, look unrealistic. The reality is that we are dealing with an avalanche of departures from the military, which is worrying," he said.

The lawmaker called on the government to provide precise data and explain the situation.

Poland’s Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak earlier denied the military was suffering an exodus of soldiers. He said the program to expand the armed forces was going according to plan.

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