Politics Poland's Prime Minister Tusk wants to call a vote of confidence
The victory of opposition presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki in Poland is putting Donald Tusk's pro-European government under pressure. Tusk said in a speech on Polish television that he would soon call a vote of confidence in parliament. The plan for his government's actions under the new president will require "unity and courage" from the three-party coalition. The vote of confidence should be a first test of this.
02.06.2025, 20:36
SDA
In the run-off election for the Polish presidency on Sunday, the liberal Rafal Trzaskowski from Tusk's camp was narrowly defeated by Nawrocki, who was supported by the right-wing conservative PiS. This is also a serious defeat for the head of government. PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski said that the result of the presidential election was a "red card" for Tusk's government. It should step down.
Tusk has led a center-left alliance of three parties since the end of 2023. His government's most important project is to reverse the damage to the rule of law caused by the PiS government in office from 2015 to 2023 with its judicial reform. Acting President Andrzej Duda, who comes from the ranks of the PiS, has so far blocked corresponding bills. It is expected that Nawrocki will proceed in the same way and possibly take even tougher action. This could wear down the coalition and unleash centrifugal forces.
Tusk: We will not retreat one step
"In accordance with the constitution and our conscience, we will cooperate with the new president wherever this is necessary and possible," said Tusk. At the same time, he emphasized: "Everyone will see that the government does not intend to retreat even one step."
In Poland, the head of state has more powers than the Federal President in Germany. He not only represents the country to the outside world. The president also has an influence on foreign policy, appoints the head of government and the cabinet and is the commander-in-chief of the Polish armed forces in the event of war. Above all, he can make life difficult for the government with his right of veto. In order to override the president's veto, a majority of 60 percent of MPs is required in parliament, which Tusk's center-left alliance does not have.
