Former European Council president Donald Tusk sworn in as Poland’s new prime minister

Newly appointed Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government in Poland was officially sworn in by the country’s president, marking a significant shift after eight years of nationalist rule under the Law and Justice (PiS) party. Tusk’s leadership has raised hopes of improved relations between Poland and the European Union after years of disputes with the previous government.

In his speech to parliament, Tusk, a centrist who served as European Council president from 2014 to 2019, pledged to secure frozen EU funds for Poland, addressing concerns about the rule of law. However, challenges may arise from judges appointed under the PiS government’s reforms, which critics argue compromised judicial independence, and President Andrzej Duda’s power to veto laws as a PiS ally.

President Duda, despite previous critical statements about Tusk, adopted a conciliatory tone after the swearing-in ceremony, expressing openness to cooperation on important issues like security. Tusk emphasized the restoration of the rule of law and respect for the constitution as priorities for his government, holding Duda partly responsible for reforms that allegedly undermined judicial independence.

While PiS won the most seats in the election, it lacked the majority to form a government, allowing Tusk to secure parliamentary approval. However, Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal ruled that legislation necessary for accessing EU funds was unconstitutional, adding complexity to Tusk’s efforts. Last-minute spending by the previous government has strained the budget, presenting further challenges to fulfilling campaign promises.

Tusk is expected to attend an EU summit in Brussels, where he will advocate for unblocking funds for Poland and support Ukraine’s bid to join the EU. Concerns have arisen in Kyiv about Western allies’ commitment to funding Ukraine’s defense against Russia, prompting Tusk to affirm Poland’s support for continued assistance.

The new government faces intricate tasks, including addressing strained relations with the EU, judicial reforms, budget constraints, and advocating for Ukraine’s EU accession amid geopolitical challenges.