Ex-European Council President Donald Tusk Elected As Polish PM, Focus Now To Better Ties With EU

Poland is now eyeing to better its ties with the European Union as the country's parliament backed Centrist Donald Tusk as the next Prime Minister.

Donald Tusk appointed Polish PM.

Source : Getty

Donald Tusk has been elected as the new Prime Minister of Poland after the country's parliament backed him on Monday. According to Reuters, the decision has ended the eight-year rule of the Nationalist Law and Justice Party (PiS). With Tusk, a former European Council President, as the PM, the country is likely to mend its ties with the European Union, reported Reuters.

Tusk was supported by 248 lawmakers while 201 voted against him. "I will be indebted to all those who trusted in this new, wonderful Poland, to all those who trusted us ...and decided to make this historic change," he told the chamber after the vote, quoted Reuters.

Poland And Ties With EU

Under the reign of Mateusz Morawiecki, Poland witnessed a worsening of its relations with the European Union with tens of billions of euros of EU funds frozen due to a dispute with Brussels over democratic standards. 

According to a Reuters report, Tusk has promised to mend relations and unblock around €36bn (£30bn) cash.

Tusk To Be PM After Over A Month Of Elections. Here's Why

The centrist coalition led by Donald Tusk won most seats in the elections that were held on October 15 but had been unable to take office until now. The PiS, led by Mateusz Morawiecki was the single largest party after the elections. However, reported BBC, other parties refused to work alongside it and PiS failed to prove a majority in parliament.

Tusk will be leading the government formed by a coalition of three parties -- his Civic Coalition (KO), the Third Way and the Left, BBC added.

"We are working… on a whole set of measures that will restore the rule of law as much as possible," Tusk said after the vote, quoted BBC. Tusk will give a speech to parliament on Tuesday explaining his government's plans and will then go for a vote of confidence.