Poland’s newly elected Parliament rejected a proposal by the right-wing forces to stay in power after losing a general election. Instead, they chose opposition leader Donald Tusk as the new prime minister. The Parliament voted against a new government proposed by caretaker prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki, whose party, Law and Justice, lost its parliamentary majority in the October election. The opposition legislators taunted Morawiecki and his supporters, chanting “Donald Tusk, Donald Tusk.” Parliament later nominated and confirmed Tusk as Poland’s new leader. Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the chairman of Law and Justice, denounced Tusk as a “German agent.”
Tusk, a veteran centrist politician who previously led Poland, is expected to be sworn in on Wednesday by President Andrzej Duda. Morawiecki, who led Poland’s previous right-wing government, resigned after the election but was asked to stay on in a caretaker capacity. The move was criticized as an attempt by the defeated party to prolong its rule and appoint allies to state institutions and companies. The Parliament vote on Monday ended the defeated party’s efforts to remain in power and allowed Tusk to take leadership of a new government.
There was a commission formed by the outgoing government to investigate Russian influence, which recommended that Tusk and other opposition figures not be allowed to hold positions responsible for state security. However, the Parliament vote on Monday dashed the defeated party’s hopes and left Tusk poised to take over. After a day of debate, 266 legislators voted against Morawiecki’s proposed government, far short of the majority needed to remain in power.
The installation of a new government headed by Tusk could mark a significant shift in Poland’s direction after eight years of Law and Justice rule. However, the grip of Law and Justice appointees on key state bodies and institutions may limit the scope for change. The outgoing government vowed to defend public media, which is currently stacked with Law and Justice loyalists.
Tusk and his allies are divided on the issue of abortion but share a desire to restore the independence of the Polish judiciary and repair relations with the European Union. A new centrist government headed by Tusk may also seek to improve relations with Ukraine. In order to secure a vote of confidence as prime minister, Tusk will need support from members of his own party and allied parties in Parliament.