Poland’s Tusk opposes EU treaty changes

by Aleksandra Krzysztoszek

Polish opposition leader and election winner Donald Tusk of the Civic Platform (PO, EPP) left no room for speculation when he openly stated that his party, which is likely to return to power in Poland after eight years in opposition, is opposed to changing the EU treaties, as is Poland’s conservative ruling camp.

On Wednesday, the European Parliament voted on a report on proposed changes to the EU Treaties – including the controversial proposal in Poland to abolish unanimity voting on key issues.

All MEPs of the PO-led Civic Coalition (KO, EPP/Greens) will vote against the report.

“Those lawmakers who cooperate with me will vote against [the report]”, Tusk announced, admitting that individual deviations can always happen and he cannot guarantee voting discipline.

This does not mean scepticism towards progressing European integration but rather doubts about some of the proposals contained in the report and the pace of the changes.

“Europe needs repairing in many aspects,” said the former European Council president.

Still, he warned that the “stupidest method” to achieve this is to fall into naive “Euroenthusiasm,” which was one of the reasons for Brexit.

The text ‘weakens’ EU Community

“Certainly, the project prepared by the European Parliament […] does not meet what, in my opinion, represents the spirit of the times and the real needs of the EU,” Tusk explained.

“Never before have we needed a European Union stronger and more capable in the face of threats, in the face of war that is right next to us. But the document that will be voted on, instead of meeting this need, weakens the European community,” said PO MEP Andrzej Halicki.

So far, it has been rather the ruling Law and Justice (PiS, ECR) party that voiced its staunched opposition towards any Treaty changes. Still, as the party has lost the parliamentary majority after last month’s general elections, it will likely lose power to the Tusk-led camp.

The opposition’s bloc’s strong showing in Poland’s elections, making it the favourite to form a new government, was welcomed in Brussels with hopes of a more pro-EU line on many key issues regarding which the current PiS-led government has chosen not to cosy up to Brussels for.

But as Euractiv reported last month, Poland under Tusk’s rule may not be “the paradise the EU is hoping for” – the EU treaty reform proposal is just one issue where PiS and Tusk have more or less similar views, with the EU Migration and Asylum Pact being another.

Despite sharing a common position on EU treaty reform, a likely government under Tusk will have a more constructive attitude towards EU integration than PiS, said KO MP Dariusz Jonski.

“PiS was unable to build compromises. I am convinced that Tusk’s political experience and ties will help and Poland will get stronger in Europe,” Jonski told Euractiv Poland earlier this month.

“We care about the even deeper integration of the European Union. Stronger Europe means stronger Poland,” he added.

*first published in: Euractiv.com