Politico: Donald Tusk – a key figure in Europe's changes
Politico highlights Donald Tusk as a symbol of change in Europe, describing his fight for democracy and European values
The American publication Politico evaluates Donald Tusk, leader of Poland's "Civic Platform", as the most influential person in Europe, characterizing him as a symbol of change.
The article tells of a twenty-year political struggle in Poland between Tusk and Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of the "Law and Justice" party.
Tusk, a former Prime Minister and ex-President of the European Council, is presented as an advocate for democracy, modernity, and European values, while Kaczyński is associated with traditionalists, Catholic conservatives, and nationalists.
Politico notes that after eight years, Poland may enter a new era under Tusk's leadership, symbolizing new changes.
As a reminder, the leaders of four pro-European opposition parties in Poland have signed a coalition agreement. These parties, having won the majority in the Sejm in the last election, represent the Civic Coalition, the Polish People's Party, "Poland 2050", and "The Left".
They intend to use this agreement as a "roadmap" for the future government if they come to power. Donald Tusk, leader of the Civic Coalition and former Prime Minister, is nominated as the candidate for Prime Minister from the opposition.
However, despite the majority in the Sejm, the opposition coalition is not yet able to form a government. The President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, has entrusted this task to the current Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, from the conservative "Law and Justice" party, which has been ruling the country for the last eight years.
In the elections on October 15, "Law and Justice" received the majority of votes, but, according to experts, is unable to form a ruling majority. President Duda's decision to keep "Law and Justice" in power has drawn criticism from the opposition, which considers this an attempt to delay the formation of a new government.
According to the Polish Constitution, the president appoints the Prime Minister to form a government. If the government does not gain the confidence of the Sejm, the initiative passes to the parliament, which can elect a Prime Minister and conduct a vote. If this government also does not gain confidence, the initiative returns to the president, and this time a simple majority of votes in the Sejm is sufficient.