Poland's president swears in Donald Tusk's government

Change of power - Poland's president swears in Donald Tusk's government

Polish President Andrzej Duda has sworn in Donald Tusk 's new pro-European government. "This is an important moment for Poland. I would like to congratulate you on winning the political process," said Duda on Wednesday after the ceremony at the presidential palace in Warsaw. The President, who comes from the old government camp of the national conservative PiS, emphasized his willingness to work together. Just under two months after the parliamentary elections, the transfer of power is now complete. On Tuesday evening, MPs had expressed their confidence in Tusk's government.

The three-party alliance of Tusk's liberal-conservative Civic Coalition, the Christian-conservative Third Way and the left-wing alliance Lewica had won a government majority in the parliamentary elections on October 15. However, the previous national-conservative PiS government had delayed the transfer of power for a long time with the help of Duda.

The President had initially tasked former Prime Minister and PiS politician Mateusz Morawiecki with forming the government, even though the party did not have a majority in parliament. As expected, Morawiecki failed the vote of confidence on Monday. Only then, eight weeks after the election, was the way clear for Tusk.

In his speech after being sworn in, Tusk recalled the record voter turnout and the people who had waited outside many polling stations until after midnight on election day to cast their votes. "For two months, these voters, these same Poles, have waited so patiently and with so much enthusiasm for their historic decision to be implemented," said Tusk, alluding to the delaying tactics of the national conservative camp. "When it comes to the freedom of the individual and human rights, Poles never give up."

Fundamental change in foreign policy

The start of Tusk's government marks a fundamental change in Polish foreign policy. In his government statement on Tuesday, the 66-year-old from Gdansk called for a return to the values of democracy and the rule of law and announced good cooperation between his country and the EU. "What really forms a community is the rule of law, the constitution, the rules of democracy, secure borders and a secure national territory - these are the things we must not argue about," said the former EU Council President.

The national conservative PiS government, which has now been replaced, was at loggerheads for years over its judicial reform. The EU Commission had initiated several infringement proceedings against the EU member state and is blocking a multi-billion euro coronavirus aid fund.

Tusk announced that Poland would assume the position of a "leader within the EU" under his government. He will also achieve the release of the blocked EU aid funds.