Summary of the day
The conservative government of Mateusz Morawiecki lost a confidence vote in the Polish parliament, opening the way for a coalition under the leadership of Donald Tusk to take office this week and putting an end to eight years of rule by the Law and Justice (PiS) party.
After Morawiecki lost the confidence vote, Tusk was officially nominated to serve as Poland’s next prime minister.
Poland’s parliament then voted in favour of Tusk as the country’s prime minister. 248 MPs voted in favour, while 201 voted against.
In a policy speech this morning, Morawiecki called for a “Europe of homelands, not a Europe without homelands.”
Speaking in parliament after winning a vote to become prime minister, Tusk thanked Poles and said his new government will “right the wrongs” so that everyone “can feel at home.”
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, congratulated Tusk, saying “Ukraine and Poland’s future lies in unity”.
The European parliament president, Roberta Metsola, said she looks forward “to working together for a prosperous Poland and a stronger Europe.”
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said she looks forward to seeing Tusk at a summit of European leaders in Brussels this week
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More congratulations are pouring in.
Congratulations to @donaldtusk on becoming the new Prime Minister of #Poland! I look forward to meeting you soon and forging ties between Poland 🇵🇱 and #Latvia 🇱🇻 bilaterally, at the EU, NATO and beyond. We stand together for Ukraine in free, secure and prosperous Europe.
— Evika Siliņa 🇱🇻🇺🇦 (@EvikaSilina) December 11, 2023
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, has said she looks forward to seeing Donald Tusk at a summit of European leaders in Brussels this week.
“Your experience and strong commitment to our European values will be precious in forging a stronger Europe, for the benefit of the Polish people,” she said.
Congratulations @donaldtusk on becoming Poland’s Prime Minister.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 11, 2023
Your experience and strong commitment to our European values will be precious in forging a stronger Europe, for the benefit of the Polish people.
I look forward to working with you, starting with this week’s… pic.twitter.com/G3kSlrKcNc
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“I look forward to working together for a prosperous Poland and a stronger Europe,” the European parliament president, Roberta Metsola, wrote, calling Donald Tusk “a dear friend”.
Serdeczne gratulacje @donaldtusk 🇪🇺🇵🇱
— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) December 11, 2023
As Poland’s new Prime Minister, a staunch believer in the European Union and a dear friend, I look forward to working together for a prosperous Poland and a stronger Europe.
We will tackle current challenges. United. pic.twitter.com/FbP3AJg2AW
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Donald Tusk is celebrating this evening.
Dziękuję Polsko! pic.twitter.com/LyhAm9Shc2
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) December 11, 2023
'Ukraine and Poland’s future lies in unity,' Zelenskiy says
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukraine’s president, has congratulated Donald Tusk.
“Ukraine and Poland’s future lies in unity, mutual assistance, and strategic partnership in order to defeat our common enemy,” he said.
Congratulations to @DonaldTusk on his election as Prime Minister of Poland by the Sejm.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 11, 2023
Ukraine and Poland's future lies in unity, mutual assistance, and strategic partnership in order to defeat our common enemy. When we stand together, both our nations’ freedom is unbeatable.…
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'We will fix everything together,' Tusk vows
Speaking in the Polish parliament after winning a vote to become prime minister, Donald Tusk thanked Poles and said his new government will “right the wrongs” so that everyone “can feel at home”.
The incoming leader said:
I want to thank Polish women and men. Thank you, Poland, this is a wonderful day, not for me, but for all those who have deeply believed over these years that things will get even better, that we will chase away the darkness, that we will chase away evil. This is what happened.
He added:
We’ll fix everything together. From tomorrow, we will be able to right the wrongs so that everyone, without exception, can feel at home.
Law and Justice’s Jarosław Kaczyński, meanwhile, told Tusk – without providing evidence - “You are a German agent.”
Guardian contributor Katarzyna Piasecka reported from Warsaw
Updated
Polish parliament votes in favour of Donald Tusk as new prime minister
Poland’s parliament has voted in favour of Donald Tusk as the country’s new prime minister.
248 MPs voted in favour, while 201 voted against.
Tusk, a well-known figure on the European stage, previously served as Poland’s prime minister between 2007 and 2014. He is also a former president of the European Council and former head of the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP).
His new government is now expected to take office later this week.
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Border crossings between Poland and Ukraine must be unblocked, commissioner says
As Poland awaits a new government, European commissioner for transport Adina Vălean issued a statement welcoming the opening of one border crossing point with Ukraine but said the commission remains concerned but others that remain shut.
I welcome the reopening of Dorohusk–Yahodyn border crossing point for freight transport, the most significant border crossing point between Poland and Ukraine.
Its blockade since 6 November had significant consequences for Ukraine, Poland, and the EU, but first and foremost, for all the drivers caught up in the blockade.
As I mentioned last week, the commission has engaged directly with protesters and the national authorities on numerous occasions over the past month and proposed concrete measures to facilitate the border crossing process between Ukraine and Poland.
At the same time, we remain concerned that the other three border crossing points between Poland and Ukraine continue to be blocked.
It is vital that relevant national and local authorities take the necessary measures to ensure goods can flow through the EU’s external borders.
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'Frank conversation' with Hungary, Ukrainian minister says
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, has said after his meeting with Hungary’s Péter Szijjártó that a political decision on opening EU accession talks with Kyiv is “well-reasoned” and that dialogue will continue.
The Ukrainian minister wrote on social media:
I emphasised that the political decision on this matter is well-reasoned and timely. Ukraine and Hungary share a common European future. We will continue our dialogue ahead of the European Council summit later this week.
We had a frank conversation with my Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó in Brussels.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) December 11, 2023
I informed him of the recent changes to the Ukrainian legislation on national minorities. We discussed in detail the issue of opening Ukraine’s EU accession talks.
I emphasized that the… pic.twitter.com/nf1SW5kPpf
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Hungarian minister meets Ukrainian counterpart but reiterates opposition to accession talks
Hungary’s foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, met with Ukraine’s Dmytro Kuleba today for the first time since Russia’s full-scale the invasion.
The meeting, which took place in Brussels on the margins of a gathering of EU foreign ministers, comes at a tense time, as Budapest continues to block planned new funding for Ukraine and the opening of EU accession talks with Kyiv.
Adding to the awkwardness is the fact that Szijjártó is the only European minister who still regularly visits Russia and meets with senior Russian officials.
In a Facebook post following the meeting with Kuleba, Szijjártó did not indicate that Budapest is budging on the issue of accession talks. Notably, he did not mention the issue of funding for Kyiv.
The Hungarian minister said:
The proposal for a decision is unprepared, and the European Commission has practically no idea what the impact of Ukraine’s membership of the EU would be on the whole community.
Szijjártó also raised the issue of minority rights, after Ukraine approved reforms addressing ongoing concerns.
We also discussed naturally the minority law, and I told my colleague that Hungary’s expectation is a return to the 2015 situation.
Speaking to Hungarian media, Szijjártó repeated the Hungarian position that the EU should have a strategic debate about the bloc’s future relationship with Kyiv, and that it is not possible to open accession negotiations.
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European leaders good at creativity, Czech minister says amid concerns about Ukraine decisions
Europe can’t let Ukraine down, the Czech foreign minister, Jan Lipavský, has said.
Speaking to the Guardian in Brussels, where EU foreign ministers are meeting ahead of a key summit later this week, the minister said:
If we don’t want the European security to fall, we can’t let Ukraine down. It’s simple as that – so we have to help them in any way possible. And of course, it’s clear that the summer offensive has not brought the change to the situation on the ground which was expected from many, let’s say, one year ago. But it doesn’t mean that the game – the overall game – would change. And therefore, we need to send a clear political signal for the support from the EU and the west generally to Ukraine and to [the] Ukrainian people.
Asked about Hungary’s continued opposition to opening accession talks with Ukraine and granting Kyiv fresh financial assistance, Lipavský declined to comment on the ongoing discussions.
But he did say “Russian imperialism” doesn’t distinguish between different Central European countries, adding:
I think what European leaders are good [at] is creativity – so let’s see what kind of solution will come up from the European Council.
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Tusk nominated for prime minister
Donald Tusk has officially been nominated to serve as Poland’s next prime minister.
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Law and Justice’s critics are celebrating the end of Poland’s conservative government.
Game over…
— Róża Thun (@rozathun) December 11, 2023
Koniec błazenady. @PL_2050 @nowePSL @Platforma_org @KochamPolske_ @Nowoczesna @inicjatywaPL @Zieloni pic.twitter.com/eq8aCp3Q0a
Pałac Kultury teraz! Dziękuję, Warszawo.❤️ pic.twitter.com/CPSEBgWsq0
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) December 11, 2023
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Morawiecki loses confidence vote, paving way for Tusk
The conservative government of Mateusz Morawiecki has lost a confidence vote in the Polish parliament, opening the way for a coalition under the leadership of Donald Tusk to take office this week and putting an end to eight years of rule by the Law and Justice (PiS) party.
190 MPs voted in favour, 266 against.
It comes nearly two months after Poland’s election, where a coalition of opposition parties won the most seats. Nevertheless, the Polish president, Andrzej Duda, gave Morawiecki the first chance at forming a government.
The Sejm is now expected to nominate Tusk to be prime minister, and he is set to present a new government tomorrow.
Read more here about the challenges ahead for the new leadership in Warsaw.
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Mateusz Morawiecki is addressing the Polish parliament.
A vote is expected after he finishes his remarks.
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The Sejm’s YouTube channel enjoyed record popularity today, writes the Guardian contributor Katarzyna Piasecka from Warsaw.
About 230,000 people watched Mateusz Morawiecki’s speech on Monday.
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We’re waiting for the Polish parliament to take a vote on the government of conservative Mateusz Morawiecki, which is set to lose.
Read more here about what to expect as Poland prepares for a new government.
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As Poland awaits a new government, its rule of law challenges have deepened.
The country’s constitutional tribunal ruled that interim measures – orders by the EU’s top court before a final ruling – are not compatible with Poland’s constitution, Reuters reported.
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Poland’s opposition is in a good mood today. While Mateusz Morawiecki gave a big speech this morning, he is expected to lose a confidence vote in the afternoon, paving the way for Donald Tusk to become prime minister.
Here’s an image of a smiling Tusk listening to Morawiecki earlier today.
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Here’s how seats are distributed in Poland’s parliament.
Morawiecki calls for Europe of homelands
In a policy speech ahead of a confidence vote he is set to lose, the outgoing Polish prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, said his government had shown it could set new trends in European politics and underscored his opposition to empowering the EU.
Europe of homelands, not a Europe without homelands. We do not agree to any further deprivation of competences from states. If the union is to survive, it must abandon attempts to greedily seize new competences.
He also made the case for Law and Justice’s approach to economic policy.
We proved that the liberal economic model was not only unfair, but above all ineffective and irrational. We have introduced a completely new model, a new – one might say – socio-economic system. We took first steps towards a solidarity state.
The outgoing leader presented himself as an innovator on the European stage.
We have shown that we are not doomed to constant imitation, but that we can be the source of new trends in European politics.
Guardian contributor Katarzyna Piasecka in Warsaw
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The unusual scenes in the Polish parliament today have elicited significant attention from the public.
Here are images of people watching Mateusz Morawiecki’s speech in a movie theatre in Warsaw. And yes, there’s popcorn.
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What's next for Poland?
We asked Jakub Jaraczewski, research coordinator at Democracy Reporting International, about the challenges facing Poland’s next government.
He outlined three points. The first is cohabitation with the conservative president, Andrzej Duda.
President Duda and his power of legislative veto, which the coalition won’t be able to defeat in a vote. Negotiating with Duda will be difficult and he will be reluctant to allow any change to laws he himself signed into force over the last 8 years.
Jaraczewski also noted two continued challenges related to the judiciary and government institutions where individuals appointed by Law and Justice remain in place.
The constitutional tribunal – captured by PiS and staffed with judges loyal to the outgoing government, which could be abused by PiS to strike down laws – not just new legislation but also any existing norms if that would benefit Jarosław Kaczyński.
Entrenchment of people and institutions loyal to PiS – while this has not gotten to the degree found in Hungary, many officials and bodies, such as public media regulators or the head of the central bank will be difficult to change without the ability to freely legislate.
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Morawiecki speaks in parliament
The Polish prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, is delivering a policy speech in the Sejm – despite being set to lose a confidence vote later today.
The outgoing leader said:
I’m sure that the project that I present will be victorious. Even if it won’t be today, it will happen sometime in the future.
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Stanley Bill, a professor of Polish studies at the University of Cambridge, said “Poland’s upcoming coalition government will have a wider democratic mandate”.
Nevertheless, he added:
This mandate is diffused by the need for all coalition partners and voters to accept compromise and only partial delivery of their policies, potentially weakening future support for government.
Poland's upcoming coalition government will have a wider democratic mandate than PiS government of 2019-23, though dispersed across multiple parties. While PiS won 44% of the vote in 2019, the three major groupings making up the coalition won 54% of the vote two months ago. 1/2
— Stanley Bill (@StanleySBill) December 11, 2023
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Monday, Monday
“I don’t like Mondays, but I waited eight years for this one,” said Robert Biedroń, a politician from Poland’s New Left.
His colleague Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus wrote: “I like Mondays. Good morning Poland.”
Nie lubię poniedziałków, ale na ten czekałem osiem lat.🥰🍾🥳
— Robert Biedroń (@RobertBiedron) December 11, 2023
Lubię poniedziałki. Dzień dobry Polsko 💪
— J. Scheuring-Wielgus (@JoankaSW) December 11, 2023
Poland needs 'unity', Morawiecki says
Mateusz Morawiecki, who is expected to lose a confidence vote in Poland today, stressed in a post on social media that there’s need for unity.
Poland is our common home. Today it needs unity of all political forces. I believe it’s possible.
Polska to nasz wspólny dom. Dziś potrzebuje jedności wszystkich sił politycznych. Wierzę, że to możliwie. O jej przeszłości, przyszłości i wielkości dziś o 10:00 w Sejmie. Do zobaczenia🇵🇱💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/nQcWE0R1DC
— Mateusz Morawiecki (@MorawieckiM) December 11, 2023
Donald Tusk expected to become Poland’s prime minister this week
Donald Tusk is expected to become Poland’s prime minister this week, almost two months after a parliamentary election handed a majority to an alliance of opposition parties. His appointment will put an end to eight years of rule by the nationalist, populist Law and Justice (PiS) party.
The Tusk-led alliance won a clear majority of seats in the 15 October vote, but the country’s president, Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, gave the incumbent prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, the first chance at forming a government, widely seen as a delaying tactic.
Morawiecki must present a new government to the Sejm, Poland’s lower house of parliament, on Monday, which will be followed by a vote of confidence. He is expected to fail. The Sejm then will nominate its own candidate, expected to be Tusk, who will present his government on Tuesday. After intense negotiations between prospective coalition partners, a cabinet has already been agreed.
Parliament will vote on Tusk’s government on Tuesday, and he could take office as soon as Wednesday, potentially enabling him to travel to a summit of EU leaders scheduled to take place on Thursday and Friday.
Read the full story here.
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'Ready, steady, go!': Tusk gears up to lead Poland
Poland’s next leader shared his enthusiasm on social media this morning, as he prepares to become prime minister nearly two months after the country’s election.
READY, STEADY, GO!
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) December 11, 2023
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