Donald Tusk to be sworn in as Polish PM

Donald Tusk is expected to be sworn in as Prime Minister of Poland today.

Tusk’s swearing-in comes after his three-party coalition defeated the incumbent Law and Justice (PIS) government in the October elections. Among some of the key priorities of Tusk’s government include reversing democratic backsliding that occurred under PIS rule and unlocking billions in EU funds connected to adherence to the rule of law. Tusk is likely to face major obstacles including a hostile president Andrzej Duda of the PIS. Duda delayed Tusk’s assumption of government today by appointing PIS to attempt to form the government. In addition, Duda has the ability to send legislation passed by the new government to the country’s legal tribunal dominated by PIS sympathizers.

Nevertheless, Tusk may be able to achieve significant success in his aims due to the accumulation of power of the Polish state that occurred under PIS. Should Tusk succeed in improving Polish ties with the EU it is likely that the country will take a more leading role in the EU alongside France and Germany. This would revive the “Weimar triangle” of the three nations being the primary decision-makers of the bloc.