Tusk: "The stronger the EU, the stronger we are"
With the change of power in Poland, an experienced EU politician is moving to the head of government: Donald Tusk. He wants to bring his country closer to the European Community again.
Poland's new head of government Donald Tusk has called for respect for 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 Tusk in his government statement.
The former governing camp of the national conservative PiS had been at loggerheads with Brussels for years over a controversial judicial reform. The EU Commission has initiated several infringement proceedings against the EU member state and is blocking a multi-billion euro coronavirus aid fund.
Under his government, Poland will achieve the position of a "leader within the EU" through good cooperation, said Tusk. "Poland is all the stronger, all the more sovereign, the stronger the European Community is." One reason for the victory of the pro-European tripartite alliance in the parliamentary elections was that many voters in Poland wanted the country to play an important role in the EU.
More support for Ukraine
Tusk therefore wants to lead his country back to the center of the European Union. According to the head of government, Poland wants to regain the place it deserves. Anyone who questioned Poland's place in the EU was damaging the country's interests. An isolated Poland would be exposed to the greatest risks, said Tusk. He also promised that he would ensure that the frozen billions from the coronavirus aid fund would be released. The 66-year-old from Gdansk was President of the EU Council from 2014 to 2019.
Tusk also wants to persuade the West to provide more support for Ukraine, which is under attack. Tusk said that he could no longer listen to some Western politicians talking about being tired of the situation in Ukraine. "We will loudly and resolutely demand the full mobilization of the free Western world to support Ukraine in this war." He was traveling to the EU summit in Brussels in a few hours. There he wants to find "different ways than before" to convince Poland's traditional allies of the need for help, Tusk continued.
Tusk was appointed as the new head of government by the Polish parliament on Monday. His pro-European coalition government still has to pass a vote of confidence this afternoon. As it can rely on 248 out of 460 MPs, this should not pose any problems.
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Tusk's reactions and statements since becoming Poland's head of government have emphasized the importance of a strong EU. He stated, "Poland is all the stronger, all the more sovereign, the stronger the European Community is." In his conversations with Western leaders, Tusk has expressed a desire for increased support for Ukraine, stating, "We will loudly and resolutely demand the full mobilization of the free Western world to support Ukraine in this war."
Source: www.ntv.de
