Poland’s newly elected Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, has pledged to enhance the country’s relationship with the European Union and to actively support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict, following his confirmation by the Warsaw parliament on Monday. Tusk’s rise to power marks a shift towards globalist governance in Poland, displacing the conservative Law and Justice party (PiS) led by former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.
The October elections saw PiS garner the highest vote count but fall short of a majority, paving the way for Tusk, a former European Council chief, to forge a coalition government. His confirmation as Prime Minister was secured with a parliamentary vote of 248 to 201, and he is set to be officially sworn in on Wednesday.
Tusk, known for his globalist stance, outlined his vision for Poland in a parliamentary address on Tuesday. One of his initial actions as Prime Minister will be attending a summit in Brussels, symbolizing his commitment to aligning Poland with the EU’s broader agenda.
Tusk’s ambition is to reestablish Poland as a key player within the EU. However, this approach has raised concerns among some, including PiS President Jarosław Kaczyński, who has labeled Tusk as overly compliant with the interests of Berlin, Brussels, and Paris.
European figures have welcomed Tusk’s return to Polish politics, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressing her enthusiasm. Von der Leyen lauded Tusk’s dedication to European values, anticipating his contribution to strengthening Europe for Poland’s benefit.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was among the first international leaders to congratulate Tusk. Tusk’s leadership arrives at a time of strained relations between Kyiv and Warsaw, particularly over the EU’s decision to permit duty-free agricultural imports from Ukraine. This move has been met with resistance from Eastern European farmers, including Polish ones, who fear competition from Ukraine’s lower production costs.
Under the previous PiS government, there were attempts to impose sanctions on food imports from Ukraine. Meanwhile, Polish farmers have created blockades at the Ukraine border, disrupting not only food imports but also the transportation of armaments into Ukraine.
Tusk has vowed to address the blockade and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russia. He emphasized the need for the Western world to fully mobilize in support of Ukraine. Tusk expressed his impatience with certain European politicians, possibly alluding to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who have advocated for peace talks and expressed fatigue over the Ukrainian conflict.
Asserting Poland’s role in the international arena, Tusk stated that the new government’s responsibility, as well as the collective duty, is to demand unwavering commitment from the Western community to support Ukraine. He emphasized this stance as a priority from the onset of his tenure.