Poland’s Rivalry Goes EU: Morawiecki, Tusk and Power of Obstruction

Mateusz Morawiecki was unanimously elected to the helm of ECR as Donald Tusk leads the EU Council. This overlap takes the PiS–PO domestic rivalry to the European stage as both leaders jockey for influence ahead of Poland’s May presidential election – and face the European Parliament’s shifting alliances.

Mateusz Morawiecki, Poland’s former prime minister and a leading figure in the Law and Justice Party (PiS), was unanimously elected as the president of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Party. His appointment comes as Poland’s EU Council presidency, led by Donald Tusk of the Civic Platform (PO), places the country at the centre of European politics. This overlap intensifies their domestic rivalry on the EU stage, particularly as Poland prepares for its presidential election in May.

Rumour has it that Morawiecki secured the position behind the back of PiS leader Jarosław Kaczynski. Reports indicate that Joachim Brudziński, Kaczyński’s trusted ally in the European Parliament, only learned of Morawiecki’s upcoming role by chance, overhearing a conversation on a flight to Brussels.