Opposition leader becomes president: Tusk announces vote of confidence after election defeat

Karol Nawrocki's victory in the presidential election in Poland is putting Donald Tusk's government to the test. The head of government announces a vote of confidence – and warns against a tough stance from the new head of state.

The victory of opposition presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki in Poland is putting pressure on Donald Tusk's pro-European government. He will soon put a vote of confidence in parliament, Tusk said in a speech on Polish television. The plan for his government's actions under the new president will require "unity and courage" from the three-party coalition. The vote of confidence should be a first test of this.

In the runoff election for the Polish presidency on Sunday, liberal Rafal Trzaskowski from Tusk's camp narrowly lost to Nawrocki, who was supported by the right-wing conservative PiS. This is also a serious setback for the head of government. PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski said the result of the presidential election was a "red card" for Tusk's government. It should resign.

Tusk has led a center-left coalition of three parties since the end of 2023. His government's most important project is to reverse the damage to the rule of law caused by the PiS government, which was in office from 2015 to 2023, with its judicial reform. Incumbent President Andrzej Duda, who hails from the ranks of the PiS, has so far blocked corresponding bills. Nawrocki is expected to follow suit, possibly even taking a more stringent approach. This could unravel the coalition and unleash centrifugal forces.

"In accordance with the Constitution and our conscience, we will cooperate with the new president wherever necessary and possible," Tusk said. At the same time, he emphasized: "Everyone will see that the government does not intend to retreat even a single step."

In Poland, the head of state has more powers than the federal president in Germany. He not only represents the country externally. The president also influences foreign policy, appoints the head of government and the cabinet, and in the event of war, he is the supreme commander of the Polish armed forces. Above all, he can make life difficult for the government with his right of veto. To override the president's veto, a 60 percent majority of MPs is required in parliament, which Tusk's center-left coalition does not have.