Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk secured a parliamentary vote of confidence on Wednesday, reinforcing his government’s mandate after a bruising presidential election defeat that deepened political divisions and cast doubt on his ability to advance key reforms.
Lawmakers in the Sejm, the lower house of parliament, voted 243-210 in favor of Tusk’s government, with no abstentions. The result, though expected given his coalition’s majority, was a symbolic show of unity after the June 1 loss of Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski—a key ally—to conservative challenger Karol Nawrocki in a runoff election.
Nawrocki, a nationalist historian backed by Donald Trump, is set to replace outgoing President Andrzej Duda, another conservative aligned with the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party. Duda repeatedly vetoed Tusk’s legislative agenda, and Nawrocki is expected to maintain that resistance.
“We cannot close our eyes to reality,” Tusk told lawmakers before the vote. “A president reluctant to accept our proposed changes is being replaced by one at least equally reluctant—if not more so.”
Tusk had hoped a Trzaskowski victory would break the institutional gridlock. Instead, he now faces a hostile presidency and a restive governing coalition that spans the political spectrum, from center-left to center-right. The alliance has struggled to deliver on major campaign pledges, including liberalizing Poland’s strict abortion laws and legalizing same-sex civil unions.
The presidential defeat has intensified infighting within Tusk’s coalition, with some partners questioning whether they would fare better under new leadership. Critics have blamed Tusk for Trzaskowski’s narrow loss, and speculation swirls over whether the four-party alliance can survive until the next parliamentary election in late 2027, particularly as far-right parties gain traction.
“I know the taste of victory, I know the bitterness of defeat, but I don’t know the word surrender,” Tusk declared defiantly.
In a bid to reset his government, Tusk announced plans for a cabinet reshuffle in July, promising “new faces.” He also pledged to appoint a coalition spokesperson in June—a tacit acknowledgment of the need for a unified message. Until now, Tusk has largely communicated policy himself through social media and press conferences.
The political rift was starkly visible during Wednesday’s session. Half the chamber sat empty as PiS lawmakers boycotted Tusk’s speech, which he called a “disrespect to the nation.” Meanwhile, far-right MP Grzegorz Braun—a presidential candidate who won 6% of the vote—vandalized an LGBT rights exhibition in parliament, tearing down posters in a move condemned by Speaker Szymon Hołownia.
Tusk, a seasoned statesman who previously served as Poland’s prime minister (2007-2014) and European Council president (2014-2019), returned to power in December 2023 amid soaring inflation and deep polarization. His government has sought to restore Poland’s standing in Europe, notably securing a defense pact with France. But with Nawrocki’s looming presidency, his path forward remains fraught.
“We have two and a half difficult years ahead,” Tusk said. “But victory belongs to the most tenacious.”
For now, the confidence vote offers a reprieve. Yet with a combative opposition, a fractured coalition, and a skeptical president-elect, Tusk’s political resilience faces its toughest test yet.