Donald Tusk Pro EU vision

Who is  Donald Franciszek Tusk?

 Donald Franciszek Tusk (born April 22, 1957) is a Polish politician and historian who is currently the leader of Civic Platform (PO), the largest opposition party in the Polish Sejm, and the chairman of the European People's Party (EPP).

Tusk previously served as the Prime Minister of Poland from 2007 to 2014, and as President of the European Council from 2014 to 2019.

Legacy of  Donald Franciszek Tusk

He is the only Polish politician to serve two consecutive terms as Prime Minister. Tusk is also the longest-serving Prime Minister of the Third Republic of Poland, and the second longest-serving Prime Minister in Poland's history, after Józef Piłsudski.

1. In 2007, Tusk led Civic Platform to victory in the parliamentary election, and was appointed Prime Minister. During his time in office, Tusk oversaw Poland's economic growth and its accession to the Schengen Area. He also played a key role in the European Union's response to the global financial crisis.

1. In 2014, Tusk was elected President of the European Council. As President, Tusk focused on strengthening the European Union's economy, its security and its global role. He also played a key role in the negotiations on the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.

1. In 2019, Tusk stepped down as President of the European Council. He returned to Poland and was elected leader of Civic Platform.

Key points of Tusk's pro EU vision include:

Donald Tusk, the newly appointed Prime Minister of Poland, has laid out his vision for government, outlining major changes after eight years of nationalist government. Following are the key features.

• Improving relations with the European Union: Tusk pledged to mend fences with Brussels, which had become strained under the previous government. He promised to "unblock more than €35bn (£30.1bn; $37.8bn) in EU recovery funds" held up over concerns about rule of law.
• Restoring the rule of law: Tusk vowed to reverse the previous government's reforms that undermined judicial independence, a key issue in the EU's dispute with Poland.
• Strengthening support for Ukraine: Tusk declared Poland's unwavering support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. He promised a "stronger" EU and "full mobilization" of the West in support of Ukraine.
• Improving women's rights: Despite ideological differences within his coalition, Tusk pledged to make it easier for women to access legal abortions.
• Boosting the economy: Tusk promised to invest in infrastructure, education and healthcare, and to cut taxes for businesses and individuals.
• Strengthening Poland's position in the world: Tusk aims to make Poland a leader in the EU and a reliable partner for the United States and NATO.

Tusk's first foreign trip as Prime Minister will be to Brussels, where he will meet with EU leaders. He will then travel to Tallinn to meet with leaders from the Baltic and Nordic states.

Poland and EU

Tusk's appointment is seen as a major step toward restoring Poland's relationship with the EU. His pro-European stance and his experience as a former President of the European Council are seen as assets in mending the strained ties between Poland and Brussels.

Donald tusk eyes thaw in EU-relations as Poland's prime minister

Opportunities don't come without challenges

However, Tusk faces a number of challenges in implementing his vision. He will need to overcome opposition from within his own coalition, which includes some parties that are skeptical of the EU. He will also need to build trust with Brussels, which will require concrete action to address concerns about the rule of law.

In addition, Tusk will need to navigate the ongoing war in Ukraine. Poland has been a strong supporter of Ukraine and has played a key role in providing humanitarian assistance and military aid. Tusk will need to continue to support Ukraine while also managing the economic and security challenges posed by the war.

Despite the challenges, Tusk's appointment is a positive development for Poland and for the EU. His pro-European stance and his experience make him a strong candidate to lead Poland forward. It is hoped that he will be able to restore Poland's relationship with the EU, strengthen the country's economy, and secure its place in the world.

Tusk is a controversial figure in Polish politics. He is praised by his supporters for his economic policies and his leadership during the global financial crisis. However, he is criticized by his opponents for his handling of the Smolensk air disaster, and for his close relationship with Germany.

Despite the controversy, Tusk remains a popular figure in Poland. He is seen as a symbol of stability and experience.

 Poland will regain the position of leader of the European Union