After parliamentary elections - Change of power in Poland: Tusk to make government statement
Almost two months after the parliamentary elections in Poland, the new Prime Minister-designate Donald Tusk will present his cabinet today and issue a government statement. In the afternoon, Tusk will face a vote of confidence in parliament. The swearing-in by President Andrzej Duda is then scheduled for Wednesday at 9.00 a.m., according to the Presidential Chancellery. This would complete the transfer of power. On Monday, parliament appointed former EU Council President Tusk as the future head of government.
In the parliamentary elections in Poland on October 15, the national-conservative governing party Law and Justice (PiS) was once again the strongest party, but fell short of an absolute majority. The Civic Coalition led by Tusk, the Third Way party alliance and the Lewica (Left) alliance together won a clear majority of 248 of the 460 seats in the Sejm.
After the election, the PiS and Duda, who came from its ranks, delayed the handover of power for as long as was constitutionally possible. Duda initially tasked the previous Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki with forming a new government, which was in office for just two weeks. As expected, Morawiecki failed the vote of confidence on Monday.
Tusk was Polish Prime Minister from 2007 to 2014
This paved the way for 66-year-old Tusk, who was Polish Prime Minister from 2007 to 2014. His new government is expected to ease relations with the European Union (EU) and neighboring Germany. The PiS had come into conflict with Brussels primarily due to backsliding on the rule of law. Sharp anti-German tones have characterized the national conservative policy of recent years.
In the eight years of PiS government since 2015, Polish voters were initially very supportive of the social policy, which benefited many families. However, the party led by its chairman Jaroslaw Kaczynski later alienated women in Poland in particular by tightening the abortion law. Many voters were also concerned about the legal system in the country before the election. This drove voter turnout to almost 75 percent on October 15.
Poland has gained weight in the EU and NATO due to its strong support for Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia.
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- The newly appointed Prime Minister-designate, Donald Tusk, was previously the President of the EU Council from 2014 to 2019.
- The parliamentary election in Poland in October saw the Law and Justice (PiS) party, led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, lose its absolute majority, with the Civic Coalition led by Tusk gaining a clear majority.
- The new government, led by Tusk and supported by the EU, is expected to improve Poland's relationship with the EU and neighboring Germany, following conflicts over the rule of law and anti-German sentiments under the PiS government.
- In Warsaw, the Polish capital, President Andrzej Duda will swear in Donald Tusk as Prime Minister on Wednesday, marking the official change of power in Poland following the elections.
- The new Polish government's declaration of intentions will likely include efforts to address concerns regarding women's rights and the legal system, which had been critical issues before the election.
- The change of power in Poland comes at a time when Poland has gained significant influence in the EU and NATO due to its strong support for Ukraine in the face of attacks from Russia.
Source: www.stern.de
