Poland has elected former EU leader Donald Tusk as prime minister, as he vowed to “chase evil away” after returning to power, The Independent reports.
Mr Tusk was elected prime minister almost two months after national elections and eight years of Conservative rule. He noted:
I want to thank Polish women and men. Thank you, Poland. This is a wonderful day, not for me, but for all those who have deeply believed over these years that things will get even better.
The former European Council president promised to “fix everything together”. He added:
From tomorrow, we will be able to right the wrongs so that everyone, without exception, can feel at home.
In the parliamentary elections in October, three opposition parties advocating the restoration of democratic standards collectively won more than 54 per cent of the vote. This was a coalition of parties ranging from left-wing to moderate-conservative.
The parties vowed to work together under Mr Tusk’s leadership to revive democratic standards and improve relations with allies, although they ran independently of each other. Mr Tusk received 248-201 support in Monday’s vote in the 460-seat lower house of parliament.
Mr Tusk will address parliament on Tuesday and President Andrzej Duda is expected to swear him in as prime minister on Wednesday.
Tusk now aims to strengthen Poland’s ties with European allies and renew support for Ukraine. His Civic Coalition (KO) party, as well as Third Way and New Left, ran on separate lists but shared a commitment to restoring ties with Europe.
