The surprise
resignations of several key Polish generals have rocked the new conservative
government, which is facing a barrage of criticism at home and abroad over a
host of controversial reforms.
"Five
generals have submitted their resignations over the last few days,"
Szczepan Gluszczak, spokesman for the general command of the Polish armed
forces, told commercial television channel Polsat on Friday.
The generals
quit just as tensions run high with Poland's Soviet-era master Russia.
The
resignations came months ahead of a large NATO exercise in Poland, as well as
the western defence alliance's next summit, set for July in Warsaw.
It is the
latest hurdle to trip up the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party that came to
power in October after eight years in opposition.
The PiS has
introduced controversial reforms giving the government more control over the
constitutional court, state media and other institutions in a move that has
alarmed the European Union and inspired street demonstrations.
Critics also
say the new government has weakened the economy and two global ratings agencies
have responded with warnings.
Gluszczak did
not specify who had resigned, but local media reported that the generals in
question included joint staff chief Ireneusz Bartniak and the commanders of
land forces, the navy and the armoured and airborne forces.