Donald Tusk nominated as Polish prime minister

Following a crucial vote in the Polish parliament on Monday, Donald Tusk has been nominated to become the next prime minister, as the current leader, Mateusz Morawiecki, lost a key confidence vote. Morawiecki’s Law and Justice (PiS) party, which failed to secure a majority in October’s elections, faced opposition in the parliamentary vote, resulting in 190 MPs supporting the government and 266 against. Consequently, Tusk, the leader of the coalition that won the majority of seats in October, has been nominated to lead the country and is expected to assume office this week.

The October elections saw a coalition led by Tusk, consisting of the Civic Coalition (KO), the Third Way, and the Left, secure a majority with a record voter turnout. Despite Morawiecki’s PiS emerging as the largest party, it failed to form a majority in parliament, leading to President Andrzej Duda’s nomination of Morawiecki, which caused a delay in the government’s formation.

Donald Tusk, a former prime minister and European Council president, is set to present his cabinet on Tuesday. Expectations are high for the new coalition, with Tusk pledging measures to undo the effects of eight years of PiS rule. Plans include restoring the independence of the judiciary, unblocking EU funds earmarked for Poland, reversing a 2020 court decision on abortion, and strengthening protections for LGBT individuals.

However, challenges may arise in implementing Tusk’s agenda, as Duda’s decision to nominate Morawiecki without hopes of winning a confidence vote suggests a potential intention to obstruct Tusk’s plans. Bills approved by parliament require Duda’s signature, and he retains the power to veto them, posing potential obstacles for Tusk’s coalition, which lacks sufficient MPs to override a presidential veto.