Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk acknowledged on Monday that the presidential election result, which saw conservative Karol Nawrocki defeat the government-backed candidate Rafał Trzaskowski, would complicate efforts to push forward his progressive agenda.
Speaking in the wake of the defeat, Tusk insisted that he would continue to govern in the same way even if the newly elected president attempts to obstruct legislative initiatives.
“This presidential election has not and will not change anything,” Tusk said. “We will cooperate with the new president wherever necessary and possible… But this does not in the least change my determination and willingness to act in defence of all that we believe in together.”
Tusk also confirmed that his government would soon call a vote of confidence in the Sejm to test the unity of the ruling coalition, describing it as the first step in a long political struggle. “This plan will require unity and courage from the entire coalition,” he said. “To all those who voted for Rafał Trzaskowski, I say today, let’s move on. I know how you feel.”
Wierzę w Was, wierzę w Polskę. pic.twitter.com/4CYOCPnW7y
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) June 2, 2025
He added that a “contingency plan assuming a difficult cohabitation is in place,” hinting at a readiness to override resistance to his agenda from the Presidential Palace. “If [Nawrocki] showed a willingness to cooperate, it would be a positive surprise… If not, there is no more to look forward to. We will get on with the job no matter what the circumstances.”
Those remarks drew sharp criticism from conservative voices. Law and Justice (PiS) MEP Piotr Muller mocked Tusk’s assertion that he is now ready to govern, remarking: “Donald Tusk, in his graciousness, has just declared that he is getting to work! After 18 months since the government was appointed! 18 months lost for Polish. Do you believe him?”
Poland’s new president @NawrockiKn “will be a big headache for the current government. He’s closer to the Trump administration, he’s much closer to Viktor Orbán.”
“He was expressing a Eurosceptic agenda, Eurosceptic narratives during his campaign.” pic.twitter.com/LRlqlO4Ma9
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) June 2, 2025
Meanwhile, Jerzy Kwaśniewski, president of the conservative legal institute Ordo Iuris, accused Tusk of ignoring the will of the electorate. “It did not reach Donald Tusk. So I will say it directly: Poles did not give you permission to make laws, because they elected a president who can veto your laws. This is what democracy is all about. And there is no place for ‘contingency plans’ here, because it means a coup d’état,” he warned.
Meanwhile, President-elect Nawrocki, in his first public remarks since winning the election, spoke of his commitment to the Polish people and the burden of the office. “Your votes made me elected to the office of the President of the Republic of Poland. It is a great responsibility and obligation. I accept this decision with humility and respect,” he said.
Rafał Trzaskowski declared victory in last night’s Polish presidential election after exit polls showed him marginally ahead.
His premature celebrations now look destined to become one of the great political missteps of recent Polish history. pic.twitter.com/2WMkQooGfr
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) June 2, 2025
Nawrocki thanked voters for their support despite “a wave of hate” and “manipulations” during the campaign. He promised to represent Polish interests with dignity at home and abroad. “We want to live in a safe, economically strong country that cares about the weakest… that cares about its centuries-old tradition and respects history,” he said. “I will not let go of any of the matters important for Polish and Poles.”
The Polish constitution gives the president the power to veto legislation, and overriding that veto would require a three-fifths majority in the Sejm — a threshold Tusk’s coalition does not currently command.
The election will effectively create a further stalemate and tension between the Polish executive and the legislature, continuing on from outgoing president Andrzej Duda since Tusk’s coalition formed after the October 2023 parliamentary elections.
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