Polish President Andrzej Duda has given incumbent prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki the opportunity to form a new government after his Law and Justice party won the most seats in the recent elections. However, Morawiecki faces the challenge of finding enough allies to secure a majority in parliament. If he fails, former PM Donald Tusk and his pro-opposition parties could have the chance to assemble a coalition instead.
Morawiecki’s party won 194 seats, while the pro-opposition parties, led by Tusk, won 248 seats. With a majority of 231 needed, Morawiecki must reach out to other parties to form a coalition government. However, all other parties in parliament have pledged not to support the Law and Justice party, making it difficult for him to secure enough allies.
The situation is further complicated by Poland’s past disputes with the EU over issues such as the rule of law and abortion rights. The EU has blocked €36bn of funds for Poland due to concerns over the PiS government undermining the rule of law. Morawiecki recently criticized a decision by the Constitutional Tribunal to ban abortion in almost all cases, calling it a “mistake.” These issues could impact the willingness of other parties to form a coalition with Law and Justice.
Despite these challenges, President Duda, who is an ally of Morawiecki, decided to give him the opportunity to form a government based on consultations with all parties represented in parliament. However, if Morawiecki fails to secure enough support in a confidence vote, parliament itself would designate a new prime minister.
The outcome of this political situation in Poland could have significant implications for the country’s governance and its relationship with the EU. The Law and Justice party has been in power since 2015, and its policies have faced criticism both domestically and internationally. A change in government could potentially lead to a shift in Poland’s stance on EU issues and its overall direction.
Furthermore, the role of former PM Donald Tusk and his pro-opposition parties should not be underestimated. With a comfortable majority of seats in parliament, they are in a strong position to assemble a coalition if Morawiecki fails. This could potentially lead to a change in policies and priorities for the country.
The next 14 days will be crucial in determining the future of Poland’s government. Parliament will hold a confidence vote for Morawiecki’s new government, but it is unlikely that he will win the vote at this stage. Therefore, the possibility of a new prime minister being designated by parliament cannot be ruled out.
Overall, the impact of this news is significant for Polish politics and the country’s relationship with the EU. The challenges faced by Mateusz Morawiecki in forming a government and the potential involvement of Donald Tusk and his pro-opposition parties create a sense of uncertainty and potential change in the political landscape. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor the developments and their implications for Poland and its future governance.
