Polish generals named to replace top military commanders who resigned in spat with defense minister

By MONIKA SCISLOWSKA
Associated Press

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s President Andrzej Duda has appointed two senior military officers after predecessors resigned over an apparent spat with the defense minister just days before the country holds a general election. Duda stressed Tuesday that undisturbed command of the armed forces was crucial while there is war in neigbouring Ukraine. Earlier Tuesday Duda accepted the resignations of the chief of general staff and an operational commander. The resignations have provoked questions about the state of Poland’s military under the current conservative government at a time of war in neighboring Ukraine. Polish media have long reported on growing tensions between the two commanders and Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak.