Polish Prime Minister-designate Tusk commits to a strong EU
Tusk presented his coalition's government program in the Sejm in Warsaw on Tuesday. With his pro-European rhetoric, Tusk clearly differs from the previous Polish government of the right-wing nationalist PiS party under Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, which has been at loggerheads with Brussels for years.
After his speech, Tusk was due to face a vote of confidence on Tuesday afternoon. His cabinet could then be sworn in on Wednesday, allowing him to attend the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday as Poland's new prime minister.
Although the PiS received the most votes in the Polish parliamentary elections in October, it was unable to win partners for a government majority. Tusk's liberal-conservative Civic Coalition and its two coalition partners, on the other hand, have a clear parliamentary majority and have already agreed on a coalition agreement.
In his speech on Tuesday, Tusk also called for a "full mobilization" of the "free world and the West" for Ukraine in its war against the Russian invasion. "There is no alternative," said Tusk.
Tusk, who was Polish head of government from 2007 to 2014, also promised a solution to the truck dispute on the Polish-Ukrainian border. His coalition had "found a way to meet the needs of Polish truck drivers as quickly as possible and to open the border immediately", said Tusk.
Polish transport companies have been blocking several important border crossings to Ukraine since the beginning of November. The hauliers are complaining of "unfair competition" from Ukrainian companies after the EU suspended a number of conditions for border transportation due to the Russian attack on Ukraine. The blockade brought freight traffic between the two countries to a temporary standstill.
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- Tusk, in his commitment to a strong EU, confessed his support for continued integration and cooperation among EU members.
- During the EU summit in Brussels, Tusk's Confirmation as the new Head of government was expected to facilitate Poland's political stance within the union.
- Despite the PiS's designation as the most voted party in the October elections, the strong EU stance of Tusk's coalition proved appealing to a majority of parliament members.
- As the new Prime Minister, Tusk reiterated his intentions to mediate the ongoing Polish-Ukrainian truck dispute, promising an immediate solution for Polish truck drivers.
- At the EU summit, Tusk was urged to uphold the union's policy regarding support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, following his appeal for "full mobilization" of the "free world and the West."
- Tusk's Polish mateusz morawiecki, former Prime Minister, has consistently faced criticism for his nationalist stance and strained relations with EU officials.
- Tusk's coalition Tusk's liberal-conservative Civic Coalition vowed to work towards resolving the truck dispute, emphasizing its strong EU stance to avoid any actions that may jeopardize relations with EU members.
- In response to growing skepticism within the EU regarding Poland's ongoing support for Ukraine, Tusk emphasized the importance of collective action towards preserving peace and stability in eastern Europe.
Source: www.stern.de
