Donald Tusk assumes the role of Poland’s Prime Minister

After a vote in parliament on Monday, Donald Tusk returned as Poland’s prime minister for the first time in nearly a decade. This paves the way for a new pro-European Union government following eight years of conservative rule.

Tusk, a former EU leader who served as European Council president from 2014–2019 and has strong connections in Brussels, is expected to improve Warsaw’s standing in the bloc’s capital. He held the position of Poland’s prime minister from 2007–2014.

On Tuesday, Tusk is scheduled to give a more substantial speech to parliament, present his Cabinet, and face a vote of confidence for his new government. He should then be sworn in by President Andrzej Duda, a step scheduled for Wednesday morning.

The election of Tusk comes after the former government of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki lost a confidence vote in parliament earlier in the day.