On November 6, 2025, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk faced a significant political moment as he survived a vote of confidence in the Sejm, the lower house of Parliament. The vote concluded with 243 MPs supporting Tusk, while 210 opposed him, signaling a divided yet resilient legislative landscape. This political maneuvering came in the wake of the disappointing loss of Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski to conservative candidate Karol Nawrocki in the presidential runoff held on June 1. Nawrocki, who enjoyed backing from U.S. President Donald Trump, is set to replace Andrzej Duda, a previous president who had frequently obstructed Tusk’s reform initiatives. In a passionate speech prior to the vote, Tusk urged MPs to back him, emphasizing a commitment to progress and stability in Poland despite the challenges posed by new opposition.
The loss of Trzaskowski, a close ally of Tusk, was not only a personal setback but also exacerbated the existing institutional deadlock in Poland. Tusk had relied heavily on Trzaskowski’s expected victory to ease the passage of legislative reforms that had been consistently halted by Duda’s vetoes. Opting for a tone of realism in his address, Tusk acknowledged the reality of an incoming president aligned with the nationalist opposition—a situation that posed a formidable challenge to his administration’s legislative agenda. He stressed that the replacement of a president opposed to his proposals with one who shared a similar reluctance would continue to hinder meaningful change for Poland. Nevertheless, Tusk interpreted Trzaskowski’s narrow defeat as evidence of a robust support base for his policies, suggesting a lingering public eagerness for reform.
Following this tumultuous election result, Tusk’s governing coalition, which spans a spectrum from the centre-left to centre-right, found itself under intense scrutiny. Many coalition partners expressed dissatisfaction not only with Tusk’s leadership but also with the broader inability of the coalition to deliver on election promises, such as liberalizing abortion laws and legalizing same-sex civil unions. Internal criticisms grew louder, with some faction leaders calling for a new prime minister, casting doubt on the political viability of Tusk’s leadership. As tensions mounted, questions emerged regarding what tangible achievements Tusk could realistically accomplish in the lead-up to the next parliamentary elections slated for late 2027, particularly as the far-right’s popularity surged.
Amid the political tensions, Polish media and analysts began to speculate about whether Tusk, at 68 years old, was nearing the end of his political career. Yet Tusk’s response reflected resilience; he stated, “I know the taste of victory, I know the bitterness of defeat, but I don’t know the word surrender.” In an effort to rejuvenate his government and reassure both coalition partners and the electorate, Tusk announced plans for a government reconstruction in July. This initiative was poised to introduce “new faces” to his administration, aiming to restore vigor to his legislative agenda and address the ongoing frustrations within his coalition.
Understanding the urgent need for effective communication, Tusk indicated he would appoint a government spokesman in June, acknowledging that a unified message was crucial for public perception and coalition stability. Until then, Tusk has taken it upon himself to convey policies through social media and news conferences, recognizing the importance of direct engagement with citizens amidst rising dissatisfaction. His previous experience as prime minister from 2007 to 2014, followed by his role as president of the European Council from 2014 to 2019, lends credibility to his assertions. However, returning to power in a deeply divided Poland marked by pandemic fallout and inflation underscored the complexities of his current political landscape.
The ongoing divisions in Polish politics became starkly evident during Tusk’s confidence vote, where noticeable absences marked the parliamentary hall, particularly from members of the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, who boycotted his address. Tusk viewed their absence as a sign of disrespect to the Polish electorate and underscored the need for collaboration in a democratic society. While Poland’s political framework grants significant power to the elected parliament and government, the president’s pivotal role in vetoing legislation and representing Poland internationally remained a crucial point of contention. As Tusk moves forward, navigating the intricate political dynamics will be essential not only for his political survival but also for the legislative progress required to address Poland’s array of pressing challenges.
