Poland’s Tusk faces confidence vote in hopes of ‘new opening’ after stinging setback
Associated PressMAY 30
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk Survives Confidence Vote
Above: Donald Tusk speaks in Parliament ahead of a vote of confidence in Warsaw, Poland, on June 11, 2025. Image copyright: Damian Lemanski/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
This is a crucial reset for Poland's democratic institutions after months of political gridlock. Tusk's government has delivered real results with Europe's highest economic growth, record defense spending, and restored international credibility. The coalition's three out of four electoral victories since 2023 highlight continued public support for the pro-European agenda despite presidential setbacks.
Government-critical narrative
The narrow confidence vote exposes the fundamental weakness of Tusk's fractured coalition and his unpopularity, with 53% of voters holding negative views of his leadership. Nawrocki's presidential victory signals the end of the Tusk project, as voters reject giving too much power to one political camp while the government fails to deliver on key promises like judicial reform and abortion rights.