Poland sets government confidence vote for June 11 as Tusk notes a ‘new political reality'
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Tuesday that Poland's parliament will hold a confidence vote on his government on June 11, as the country faces a 'new political reality.'
He called for the vote after his political ally, the liberal Warsaw mayor, lost Poland's weekend presidential election to conservative Karol Nawrocki.
'We are starting the session in a new political reality,' Tusk said at the start of a Cabinet meeting in Warsaw. 'The political reality is new, because we have a new president. But the constitution, our obligations and the expectations of citizens have not changed. In Poland, the government rules, which is a great obligation and honor.'
Tusk's government runs most of the day-to-day matters in Poland. It also exists separately from the presidency, but the president holds power to veto laws and influence foreign policy, and Nawrocki's win will make it extremely difficult for Tusk to press his pro-European agenda.
There are already questions about whether Tusk's fragile coalition can survive until the next scheduled parliamentary election at the end of 2027. Some of his political opponents are calling for him to step down.
The decision to call a confidence vote is apparently an attempt by Tusk to try to reassert authority in a shifting political situation where some of his coalition partners might be less likely to want to stick with him.
Observers believe that he's extremely likely to survive the vote next week and to be in a position to continue governing Poland as its most powerful official. The parties in his coalition still hold a majority in parliament.
Tusk oversees a coalition of several parties spanning an ideological divide, from left-wing progressives to centrists to agrarian conservatives. The divided coalition has failed to agree on some issues, and the government has failed to fulfill some of Tusk's key promises, including a liberalization of the restrictive abortion law.
Nawrocki, who was supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, won 50.89% of votes in a tight race against Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, who received 49.11%.
The election revealed deep divisions in the country, which is located along the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union.
Nawrocki, who is set to take office on Aug. 6, is expected to shape the country's domestic and foreign policy in ways that could strain ties with Brussels, while aligning the Central European nation of nearly 38 million people more closely with the Trump administration.
Trump welcomed his election, saying on his social media platform Truth Social: 'Congratulations Poland, you picked a WINNER!'
Nawrocki replied to Trump on X, saying: 'Thank you, Mr President. Strong alliance with the USA, as well as partnership based on close cooperation are my top priorities.'
Nawrocki will replace Duda, whose second five-year term ends on Aug. 6. The Polish Constitution limits presidents to two terms.
Duda has invited Nawrocki to a meeting on Tuesday evening, and said that he believes it will be only the first of meetings in which he will share his experiences, primarily in the field of security policy and international policy.
© Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yomiuri Shimbun
12 hours ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
80 Years after End of WWII / Taking the Lead in Restoring Peace / Japan's Ability to Chart Diplomatic Vision is Tested
Friday marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The national memorial service for the war dead is set to be held in Tokyo. It is hoped that heartfelt prayers for the 3.1 million people who lost their lives in the war can be offered and that a pledge for peace can be renewed. Japan has enjoyed peace and prosperity over the past 80 years. This is solely because it has been able to continue its economic activities and other endeavors within the U.S.-led international order based on the rule of law and free trade. However, that international order is becoming increasingly shaky. This is partly because the United States has begun to turn its back on multilateral cooperation. Urgent need to rebuild U.N. The U.N. Security Council is in a position to lead the world toward peace and stability, but its key member Russia, a permanent member of the council, has continued its aggression against Ukraine. In the Middle East, Israel has gone beyond its right to self-defense and is killing large numbers of civilians in the Palestinian territory of Gaza. Japan must not be allowed to merely stand by and watch this situation, or continue to be a beneficiary of peace. Japan should take the lead in firing up international opinion for the rebuilding of order and the restoration of peace. Japan has long provided help to developing countries through its official development assistance and other means. It also maintains good relationships with Middle East countries. Japan must leverage this accumulated experience and strengthen its efforts to engage with countries involved in conflicts. The decline of U.S. influence and Russia's reckless behavior have resulted in the U.N. Security Council becoming dysfunctional. U.N. General Assembly resolutions are non-binding, but it is important for Japan to cooperate with other member states and contribute to shaping international opinion to ensure that Russia and other countries comply with them. Japan's capabilities to chart a vision are being put to the test in the pursuit of global stability. In 2016, then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe proposed the concept of a 'free and open Indo-Pacific' on the occasion of the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) held in Kenya. The concept, which aims to promote free trade among other principles across the Pacific and Africa as a whole, has also been incorporated into the diplomatic strategies of the United States and European countries. However, it is regrettable that Japan has not been able to communicate such influential diplomatic policies since then. The ninth TICAD will begin in Yokohama on Wednesday. This should be an opportunity to deepen cooperation between the liberal camp, which includes Japan, and Africa. At home, the Liberal Democratic Party, which suffered a crushing defeat in the recent House of Councillors election, has been in turmoil for nearly a month over the question of whether Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will resign or remain in office. With politics in a state of paralysis, the government is in no state to formulate a new diplomatic policy. It is essential that the prime minister quickly decides to resign, paving the way for a stable new administration to be inaugurated. Populism spreading The international situation is becoming difficult to foresee. U.S. President Donald Trump has championed an 'America First' policy and imposed high tariffs, even on its allies. In Europe, xenophobic populism is rampant, driven by dissatisfaction with policies on accepting immigrants and refugees, and the moderate centrist forces that led postwar development are losing ground. Japan is no exception. The established political parties that long held a dominant position after the war have lost public trust and, in their place, new opposition forces advocating for what appears to be antiforeignism have begun to rise. How to rebuild democracy at this crossroads is a serious challenge for Japan and other countries. The current situation, in which many democratic countries are turning inward, could lead to a power vacuum. Forces seeking to unjustly seize territory and resources may grow even stronger. China has repeatedly intruded into Japan's territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands. Recently, it has deployed aircraft carriers in the western Pacific and conducted takeoff and landing drills with carrier-based aircraft. North Korea is said to be seeking to improve its nuclear and missile capabilities in exchange for sending troops to Russia, which has continued its aggression against Ukraine. Japan cannot let its guard down. How to avoid a power vacuum In light of the deteriorating security environment, Japan plans to increase its defense spending to 2% of its gross domestic product. Meanwhile, European countries are moving toward raising their military expenses, including their defense-related public works spending, to 5%. What defense efforts should Japan make to protect its security? It is necessary to deepen the discussion not only within the government but also among the ruling and opposition parties. Trump has expressed dissatisfaction that, under the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, the United States is obliged to defend Japan while Japan has no such reciprocal obligation. The costs Japan bears for U.S. bases stationed in Japan far exceed those of other U.S. allies. Trump's claims are unacceptable. The government must persistently explain the immense benefits the Japan-U.S. alliance brings to the United States. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 15, 2025)
Yomiuri Shimbun
13 hours ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Negotiators Won't Reach an Agreement in Geneva on a Plastic Pollution Treaty
GENEVA (AP) — Negotiators working on a treaty to address the global crisis of plastic pollution won't reach an agreement in Geneva Friday. Nations were meeting for an 11th day at the United Nations office in Geneva to try to complete a landmark treaty to end the plastic pollution crisis. They remain deadlocked over whether the treaty should reduce exponential growth of plastic production and put global, legally binding controls on toxic chemicals used to make plastics. The negotiations at the U.N. hub were supposed to be the last round and produce the first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, including in the oceans. But just like at the meeting in South Korea last year, they're leaving without a treaty. Luis Vayas Valdivieso, the chair of the negotiating committee, wrote and presented two drafts of treaty text in Geneva based on the views expressed by the nations. The representatives from 184 countries did not agree to use either one as the basis for their negotiations. Valdivieso said Friday morning as the delegates reconvened in the assembly hall that no further action is being proposed at this stage on the latest draft. Delegates are still meeting and have not decided on next steps yet. Representatives of Norway, Australia, Tuvalu and others nations said they were deeply disappointed to be leaving Geneva without a treaty. European Commissioner Jessika Roswall said the European Union and its member states had higher expectations for this meeting and while the draft falls short on their demands, it's a good basis for another negotiating session. 'The Earth is not ours only. We are stewards for those who come after us. Let us fulfill that duty,' she said. Saudi Arabia said both drafts lacked balance, and Saudi and Kuwaiti negotiators said the latest proposal takes other states' views more into account and addressed plastic production, which they consider outside the scope of the treaty. That draft, released early Friday, did not include a limit on plastic production, but recognized that current levels of production and consumption are 'unsustainable' and global action is needed. New language had been added to say these levels exceed current waste management capacities and are projected to increase further, 'thereby necessitating a coordinated global response to halt and reverse such trends.' The objective of the treaty was also revamped to state that the accord would be based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics. The biggest issue of the talks has been whether the treaty should impose caps on producing new plastic or focus instead on things like better design, recycling and reuse. Powerful oil- and gas-producing nations and the plastics industry oppose production limits. They want a treaty focused on better waste management and reuse. Every year, the world makes more than 400 million tons of new plastic, and that could grow by about 70% by 2040 without policy changes. About 100 countries want to limit production. Many have said it's also essential to address toxic chemicals used to make plastics. Thursday was the last scheduled day of negotiations, but work on the revised draft continued into Friday. Science shows what it will take to end pollution and protect human health, said Bethanie Carney Almroth, an ecotoxicology professor at Sweden's University of Gothenburg who coleads the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty. The science supports addressing the full lifecycle of plastics, beginning with extraction and production, and restricting some chemicals to ensure plastics are safer and more sustainable, she added. 'The science has not changed,' she said. 'It cannot be down negotiated.' Environmentalists, waste pickers and Indigenous leaders and many business executives traveled to the talks to make their voices heard. Some used creative tactics, but are leaving disappointed. Indigenous leaders sought a treaty that recognizes their rights and knowledge.
The Diplomat
18 hours ago
- The Diplomat
Beyond Sanseito: Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric in Japan's Upper House Election
Japan's upper house election in July 2025 drew widespread attention to Sanseito, a right-wing party that campaigned using anti-foreigner narratives. However, this trend wasn't unique to Sanseito; some unaffiliated political candidates also used anti-immigrant rhetoric in their campaigns. One example is Hirano Uryu (who has also used other names such as Suzuko Ogino and Suzuko Hirano). The youngest candidate in the Tokyo electoral district in history, Hirano campaigned in the Japanese traditional kimono and frequently spoke about the need to limit immigration from China in particular. She was not elected to office but still was able to get 235,411 votes. Notably, Hirano is also seen as a pro-Hong Kong activist and was denied entry to Hong Kong in 2024. She makes for an interesting case study because recently some netizens, including her former supporters, have wondered if she is a naturalized Japanese citizen. This led some to question whether her slogan 'Japan First' was actually 'Hong Kong First.' Hirano denied the claim, even publishing official family registry documents to dispel the rumors. Still, this example shows that candidates who rely on nationalistic rhetoric can be quickly discredited if their national identities are called into question. This probably is because such politicians largely campaign on the strength of their personal appeal, rather than specific economic and social policies. Another example is Hezumaryu (whose real name is Harada Masahiro), a former nuisance YouTuber who was arrested for crimes such as robbery and forcible obstruction of business in 2020. He turned himself into a deer activist, frequently posting photos and videos of tourists misbehaving in the Nara Park such as kicking deer and leaving trash. He was elected to office in Nara district with 8,320 votes, the third largest total. Hezumaryu is another interesting case. Nara is a city where humans have historically coexisted with deer, and the deer is seen as a sacred animal. While the iconic deer has attracted a record level of foreign tourists and potential economic gains to Nara in 2024, this has created safety problems for both deer and tourists. Local authorities have taken measures such as using signage, loudspeakers, and handouts, installing trashcans, and organizing patrols to warn tourists not to harm deer. Hezumaryu was able to win by using Nara-specific rhetoric that emphasized protecting the deer from tourists' 'attacks' beyond protecting the 'people' from immigrants. His image as a deer activist probably played an important role in his success. Hirano Uryu and Hezumaryu share some similarities during their campaigns in Japan's upper house election. They both were running for office for the first time, were unaffiliated with any political parties, and had anti-immigrant stances without concrete policy packages. They also actively presented their anti-immigrant stances on social media, a campaign technique popular among right-wing populists. However, this strategy raises a question: Did these candidates use anti-immigrant rhetoric because there has been a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment among the public in Japan in recent years? Based on survey data from more than 10 public opinion polls from three types of sources – the government, mass media, and academic institutions (both domestic and international ones) – Go Murakami, a professor from the Graduate School of Law at Ritsumeikan University, showed that anti-immigrant sentiment in Japan in the past four decades has been rather stable. There is somewhat a gap between the campaign strategies of these political candidates and the stable anti-immigrant sentiment among the public. The Japanese public has not become more anti-immigrant, so it is not accurate to say that the political candidates were merely reacting to the public's anti-immigrant sentiment. Given that their campaigns didn't reflect a change in voter sentiment, why did these candidates secure large numbers of votes? One possible explanation is that the voters did not cast their votes because they were supportive of candidates' anti-immigrant stances specifically; instead they were drawn to their active social media presence – full of images and videos – and their right-wing or authoritarian, populist speech style, which is simple and repetitive. This rhetorical style categorizes foreigners and domestic multiculturalists as 'outsiders' and 'enemies' and creates an 'us' and 'them' divide. It does not suggest concrete and informed economic and social policies. During Japan's upper house election in 2025, although many political candidates campaigned around cultural and cosmopolitan issues, the public's anti-immigrant sentiment has not been on rise in recent years, based on data from multiple surveys. The large numbers of votes that Senseito's candidates and some unaffiliated anti-immigrant candidates were able to obtain can instead be attributed to their populist speech style and social media engagement.
