Donald Tusk elected Prime Minister of Poland

Donald Tusk said that restoring Poland's relations with the EU is a priority. Photo: MICHAL DUK/AP

Donald Tusk was elected Poland's next prime minister after the government lost a vote of confidence, ending eight years of rule by the conservative Law and Justice party.

The government lost the vote by a margin of 266 votes to 190, and hours later Parliament voted to appoint Mr Tusk as the next head of government.

Tusk's liberal Civic Coalition will be joined by the conservative Third Way and New Left parties.

As supporters chanted his name in the lower house of parliament, a jubilant Mr Tusk said: “Thank you, Poland. This is truly a great day not only for me, but also for all those who hoped that things would get better.»

However, in a sign that sharp political divisions in Poland will continue, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, » Law and Justice» The leader immediately took the microphone afterwards and called his rival a «German agent.»

Restoring relations with the EU

Mr Tusk, who previously served as prime minister from 2007 to 2014, promised «restore the rule of law» in Poland after years of government interference in the courts.

A fierce supporter of the EU and an active supporter of the EU. Mr Tusk, a former president of the European Council from 2014-2019, said restoring Poland's relations with the EU was a priority.

He is expected to present his new government's program in a parliamentary speech on Tuesday, followed by more one will be a vote of confidence.

Andrzej Duda, President of Poland, will swear in the 66-year-old politician and his cabinet on Wednesday.

The fall of the Law and Justice Party government was not a surprise, given that it was living on borrowed funds. time since Mr. Duda took the oath of office on November 27.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of the Law and Justice party «, called Donald Tusk «German agent» Photo: MICHAL DUK/AP

Mateusz Morawiecki, prime minister of the Law and Justice Party, entered the Polish parliament on Monday morning knowing he had little chance of winning a vote in the lower house, which has been dominated since October's general election by a united opposition determined to topple his government.< /p>

Although Law and Justice remains the largest party in parliament, it lost its majority in the elections. With no other party willing to cooperate with her, her minority government was doomed to failure.

The end of the rule of law and justice could lead to dramatic changes in Polish politics. The party, which critics have called populist, has faced accusations that it is undermining the rule of law by undermining the foundations of Polish democracy.

Law and Justice has also had an aggressive relationship with the EU, clashing with Brussels on several occasions, leading to fears that Poland could follow Britain's example and leave the union.

At the same time At the time, the party led a period of strong economic growth and remained popular among many voters as it implemented popular social welfare programs.