In power for the past few weeks: Tusk accuses PiS of plundering Poland

In power for the past few weeks
Tusk accuses PiS of plundering Poland

December 8, 2023, 9:00 pm

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Although the right-wing nationalist Law and Justice Party lost the elections in Poland, it formed a false government for a few weeks. Tusk, the election winner, announces questionable cash flows and feverish promotions. The ghost could be gone on Monday.

Following the electoral victory of his pro-European coalition, Polish opposition leader Donald Tusk announced a decisive change of course. Tusk said in Warsaw that if he takes over government, he will take immediate action to repair the damage caused by the right-wing nationalist Law and Justice party. He accused PiS of “spending its last weeks in power destroying and destroying the Polish state and directing money flows to its people.”

There are daily reports in the Polish media about new appointments of officials, the signing of multi-year contracts and huge spending. “We are witnessing attempts to ‘consolidate’ some institutions that depend on public money,” Tusk said. These are “huge sums.” Tusk spoke of “trying to leave a kind of fifth column for PiS wherever possible.” His government, which could be sworn in next week, must therefore make decisions “literally within an hour” of taking office to halt these efforts.

“Reducing tensions with Ukraine”

This applies, among other things, to the restoration of the rule of law and public media. Tusk also announced audits and investigations. The new government will also lift the border blockade and reduce tensions in relations with Ukraine.

The Law and Justice Party lost its absolute majority in the elections held on October 15, and has no hope of forming a coalition. However, President Andrzej Duda initially assigned PiS the task of forming the government.

Acting Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will ask parliament for a vote of confidence on Monday. If he fails as expected, Parliament may elect Tusk as the new prime minister. The opposition Liberal-Conservative Citizens Coalition and its two coalition partners – the Center Alliance, the Third Way and the Left – have already signed a coalition agreement.