Polish PM scrambles for support as Trump ally takes presidency

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called for a parliamentary vote of confidence after nationalist Karol Nawrocki won the presidential election.

Karol Nawrocki with his wife Marta in Warsaw. Picture: Getty Images

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called for a parliamentary vote of confidence in a bid to demonstrate continuing support for his pro-EU government after nationalist Karol Nawrocki won the presidential election.

European far-right leaders welcomed the election of 42-year-old Mr Nawrocki, a fan of US President Donald Trump who has said he will oppose the government’s progressive agenda on abortion and LGBTQ rights.

He won Sunday’s runoff in the highly polarised EU and NATO member state with 51 per cent of the vote to 49 per cent for Mr Tusk’s liberal ally Rafal Trzaskowski. In a televised address, former EU chief Mr Tusk said on Tuesday he wanted the confidence vote “soon” and vowed to stay on, adding that the election “will not change anything”.

His comments came shortly after opposition leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski of the populist Law and Justice (PiS) party said that Poles had shown him the “red card”.

Mr Kacynski called for a “technical” government of experts to replace the current one.

Mr Nawrocki said that he wanted Poland to be “a state that matters in international, European and transatlantic relations”.

“I will represent you with dignity on the international state, ensuring Poland is treated as an equal,” he said.

Mr Nawrocki could revive tensions with Brussels over rule-of-law issues and complicate ties with Ukraine as he opposes NATO membership for the war-torn country and wants to cut benefits for Ukrainian refugees.

“Nawrocki’s presidency will be a rough ride for the Tusk government,” said analyst Piotr Buras, adding that the president-elect “wants to overthrow” Mr Tusk.

He said the election result could lead to “early parliamentary elections, maybe not this year, but next” year.

Reforms planned by Mr Tusk, who came to power in 2023, have been held up by a deadlock with the current President, who endorsed Mr Nawrocki.

There have also been divisions in his governing coalition, which analysts said could be exacerbated by the election result. Polish presidents hold a crucial veto power over legislation.

Nationalist leaders rushed to congratulate Nawrocki. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban hailed his fellow nationalist’s ­“fantastic victory”. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen also welcomed the “good news”, while Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered “best wishes” to Mr Nawrocki and said their countries “share common values”.

Mr Trump congratulated ­Poland on electing his ally: “Congratulations Poland, you picked a WINNER!”

Other EU leaders gave a more measured response. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she was “confident” that “very good co-operation” would continue with Warsaw.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged Mr Nawrocki to work towards “a strong, independent and competitive Europe that respects the rule of law”.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “The Polish people ... support a stronger military and ­securing their borders.”

Many Nawrocki supporters said they hoped the new president would help curb immigration and advocate for more sovereignty for Poland within the EU.

During the campaign, he also tapped into growing resentment against the estimated one million Ukrainian refugees living in ­Poland.

AFP