Polish PM seeks confidence vote after presidential poll

The Advertiser

2 days ago

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will call for a vote of confidence in parliament following the nation's close presidential election.
Conservative Karol Nawrocki's victory in Poland's weekend presidential runoff has set the country on a more nationalist course - and cast doubt on the viability of the centrist government of Tusk after the defeat of his liberal ally.
Describing it as the first test of his coalition's resolve, Tusk said in a televised address on Monday that his government's agenda under the new president would require "unity and courage" from the three-party alliance.
Tusk has led a centre-left coalition since late 2023.
Nawrocki won a knife-edge vote against his opponent, liberal candidate and Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski in Sunday's run-off election.
Nawrocki, who represents the nationalist conservative Law and Justice party (PiS), garnered nearly 51 per cent of the vote, while Trzaskowski, who had Tusk's support, won just over 49 per cent.
Nawrocki's election is likely to complicate Tusk's efforts to push through his pro-EU government's policies, as Nawrocki represents the rival conservative party and as president will have the power to veto legislation.
"According to the constitution and our conscience, we will co-operate with the new president wherever necessary and possible," Tusk said.
At the same time, he made clear: "Everyone will see that the government has no intention of retreating even one step."
Nawrocki's supporters describe him as the embodiment of traditional, patriotic values. Those who oppose secular trends, including LGBTQ+ visibility, have embraced him, viewing him as a reflection of the values they grew up with.
In Poland, the president holds a five-year term and has broad powers, including representing the country abroad, shaping foreign policy, appointing the prime minister and the Cabinet, and serving as commander-in-chief of the armed forces in the event of war.
The president also has the power of veto over legislation that has passed through parliament - a power used on several occasions by outgoing President Andrzej Duda, who like Nawrocki represents PiS.
The central objective of Tusk's administration is to repair the damage to the rule of law caused by the PiS-led government, which held power from 2015 to 2023, and overhauled the judiciary in ways widely seen as undermining judicial independence.
Key legislative efforts have been blocked by outgoing president Duda, a PiS ally.
with AP
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will call for a vote of confidence in parliament following the nation's close presidential election.
Conservative Karol Nawrocki's victory in Poland's weekend presidential runoff has set the country on a more nationalist course - and cast doubt on the viability of the centrist government of Tusk after the defeat of his liberal ally.
Describing it as the first test of his coalition's resolve, Tusk said in a televised address on Monday that his government's agenda under the new president would require "unity and courage" from the three-party alliance.
Tusk has led a centre-left coalition since late 2023.
Nawrocki won a knife-edge vote against his opponent, liberal candidate and Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski in Sunday's run-off election.
Nawrocki, who represents the nationalist conservative Law and Justice party (PiS), garnered nearly 51 per cent of the vote, while Trzaskowski, who had Tusk's support, won just over 49 per cent.
Nawrocki's election is likely to complicate Tusk's efforts to push through his pro-EU government's policies, as Nawrocki represents the rival conservative party and as president will have the power to veto legislation.
"According to the constitution and our conscience, we will co-operate with the new president wherever necessary and possible," Tusk said.
At the same time, he made clear: "Everyone will see that the government has no intention of retreating even one step."
Nawrocki's supporters describe him as the embodiment of traditional, patriotic values. Those who oppose secular trends, including LGBTQ+ visibility, have embraced him, viewing him as a reflection of the values they grew up with.
In Poland, the president holds a five-year term and has broad powers, including representing the country abroad, shaping foreign policy, appointing the prime minister and the Cabinet, and serving as commander-in-chief of the armed forces in the event of war.
The president also has the power of veto over legislation that has passed through parliament - a power used on several occasions by outgoing President Andrzej Duda, who like Nawrocki represents PiS.
The central objective of Tusk's administration is to repair the damage to the rule of law caused by the PiS-led government, which held power from 2015 to 2023, and overhauled the judiciary in ways widely seen as undermining judicial independence.
Key legislative efforts have been blocked by outgoing president Duda, a PiS ally.
with AP
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will call for a vote of confidence in parliament following the nation's close presidential election.
Conservative Karol Nawrocki's victory in Poland's weekend presidential runoff has set the country on a more nationalist course - and cast doubt on the viability of the centrist government of Tusk after the defeat of his liberal ally.
Describing it as the first test of his coalition's resolve, Tusk said in a televised address on Monday that his government's agenda under the new president would require "unity and courage" from the three-party alliance.
Tusk has led a centre-left coalition since late 2023.
Nawrocki won a knife-edge vote against his opponent, liberal candidate and Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski in Sunday's run-off election.
Nawrocki, who represents the nationalist conservative Law and Justice party (PiS), garnered nearly 51 per cent of the vote, while Trzaskowski, who had Tusk's support, won just over 49 per cent.
Nawrocki's election is likely to complicate Tusk's efforts to push through his pro-EU government's policies, as Nawrocki represents the rival conservative party and as president will have the power to veto legislation.
"According to the constitution and our conscience, we will co-operate with the new president wherever necessary and possible," Tusk said.
At the same time, he made clear: "Everyone will see that the government has no intention of retreating even one step."
Nawrocki's supporters describe him as the embodiment of traditional, patriotic values. Those who oppose secular trends, including LGBTQ+ visibility, have embraced him, viewing him as a reflection of the values they grew up with.
In Poland, the president holds a five-year term and has broad powers, including representing the country abroad, shaping foreign policy, appointing the prime minister and the Cabinet, and serving as commander-in-chief of the armed forces in the event of war.
The president also has the power of veto over legislation that has passed through parliament - a power used on several occasions by outgoing President Andrzej Duda, who like Nawrocki represents PiS.
The central objective of Tusk's administration is to repair the damage to the rule of law caused by the PiS-led government, which held power from 2015 to 2023, and overhauled the judiciary in ways widely seen as undermining judicial independence.
Key legislative efforts have been blocked by outgoing president Duda, a PiS ally.
with AP
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will call for a vote of confidence in parliament following the nation's close presidential election.
Conservative Karol Nawrocki's victory in Poland's weekend presidential runoff has set the country on a more nationalist course - and cast doubt on the viability of the centrist government of Tusk after the defeat of his liberal ally.
Describing it as the first test of his coalition's resolve, Tusk said in a televised address on Monday that his government's agenda under the new president would require "unity and courage" from the three-party alliance.
Tusk has led a centre-left coalition since late 2023.
Nawrocki won a knife-edge vote against his opponent, liberal candidate and Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski in Sunday's run-off election.
Nawrocki, who represents the nationalist conservative Law and Justice party (PiS), garnered nearly 51 per cent of the vote, while Trzaskowski, who had Tusk's support, won just over 49 per cent.
Nawrocki's election is likely to complicate Tusk's efforts to push through his pro-EU government's policies, as Nawrocki represents the rival conservative party and as president will have the power to veto legislation.
"According to the constitution and our conscience, we will co-operate with the new president wherever necessary and possible," Tusk said.
At the same time, he made clear: "Everyone will see that the government has no intention of retreating even one step."
Nawrocki's supporters describe him as the embodiment of traditional, patriotic values. Those who oppose secular trends, including LGBTQ+ visibility, have embraced him, viewing him as a reflection of the values they grew up with.
In Poland, the president holds a five-year term and has broad powers, including representing the country abroad, shaping foreign policy, appointing the prime minister and the Cabinet, and serving as commander-in-chief of the armed forces in the event of war.
The president also has the power of veto over legislation that has passed through parliament - a power used on several occasions by outgoing President Andrzej Duda, who like Nawrocki represents PiS.
The central objective of Tusk's administration is to repair the damage to the rule of law caused by the PiS-led government, which held power from 2015 to 2023, and overhauled the judiciary in ways widely seen as undermining judicial independence.
Key legislative efforts have been blocked by outgoing president Duda, a PiS ally.
with AP