Without Campus, I don’t know if we would be raising our hands in joy that democracy is returning to Poland on October 15, 2023 – Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Head of PO Donald Tusk said on Friday at the opening event of the fourth edition of Campus Polska Przyszłości in Olsztyn’s Kortowo.
Tusk looked back on the first edition of Campus, which took place in 2021.
Without this first meeting, without the next Campus, without the fact that I met many of you later on my journey, when I travelled all over Poland, I would not I don’t know if on October 15 we would have raised our hands in joy that democracy was back in Poland
– he emphasized.
He assured that from his point of view, Campus was a key moment on the way to victory.
In his address to the participants of the meeting, he stressed that young people are the future of Poland and the world.
And take responsibility for that
– he said.
I will try to do my job – I promise you – as quickly as possible, as well as possible, as a little cleaner. I look at Rafał Trzaskowski with hope, and – for understandable reasons – I look at you with even greater hope. Because the future – and this is not a slogan – is in your hands
– he emphasized.
During the meeting, Tusk also stated that Trzaskowski currently “seems to be the most optimal candidate” for the presidency. Tusk also presented Trzaskowski as a man who consistently pursues the interests of local governments.
You will not die with him
– he said to the participants who became council members.
In turn, Trzaskowski (deputy head of the PO, President of Warsaw) said to the youth gathered in Kortowo:
Polish women and men want to open the door for you. They don’t want to choose only those who have proven themselves continuously. They also focus on it very often, but they also want to choose those who have something completely new to present.
In his speech, Tusk referred to Thursday’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on an official visit to Poland.
For two hours we talked not only about world politics, he did not only ask my opinion before his visit to Kiev (…) but suddenly it turned out that we had many common topics, that there was no problem of distance, no problem of differences in cultures, traditions, history, religion
– said the head of government.
It turned out that we had exactly the same concerns, the same challenges
– he said.
He noted that “in India a discussion is beginning, which could begin any day in Poland, about a great threat to civilization, which is actually a civilizational and even biological change caused by modern technologies and which is only now being recognized.”
It turned out that people in India, like us in Poland, are also afraid of what will happen to our children, who now receive many hours of training via mobile phones or the Internet.
In response to questions from participants, Tusk recalled a statement by Democratic candidate for US president Kamala Harris, who stressed the importance of opening doors to others and supporting younger generations.
But at the end of the sentence Kamala Harris said that sometimes you have to kick in the “damn door” yourself, sorry for the quote but she literally said that
– reminded the head of government.
Joe Biden opened the door for Kamala Harris by dropping out of the running, but let’s face it, it took him a while to realize it was worth it
– he judged.
Force us to do this
– Tusk continued, turning to young people.
Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski judged that after the change of government, Poland once again imposed its priorities on the European Union, such as defense and strengthening its borders. He stressed that Tusk is a real leader in foreign policy, which his predecessor Mateusz Morawiecki was not.
Today we are the ones who co-decide, and even sometimes, given the leadership vacuum in Europe, we decide what the priorities are. Today all eyes are on Poland. I am convinced that there is only one more step to take: winning the presidential elections, and then we will really be able to decide what happens in Europe.
– said Trzaskowski.
Prime Minister Tusk was asked by one of the Campus participants how he felt about being called “German” all the time. The prime minister replied that Poland’s history is very complicated and that it should be dealt with “properly and sincerely.” He stressed that “those who call me names need much more compassion than I, the one who is called.”
Rafał Trzaskowski, in turn, added that these are insults repeated by the right wing of the political scene as a “broken record”.
The most tragic thing is that when the threat is completely elsewhere, they still talk about the Germans. When Germany is weak, there is no German leadership (…) that is nowhere to be seen in European politics. We are much stronger today when it comes to leadership
– said Trzaskowski.
The mayor of Warsaw was also asked whether it is possible to create a Warsaw Metropolis.
This is already being worked on
– he replied, assuring that “in fact, Warsaw already cooperates with neighboring municipalities in all matters.” As an example, he cited the city that cooperated on a common ticket or reached an agreement on the ban on evening alcohol sales.
Abortion law
Trzaskowski also referred to the lack of changes in the law regarding abortion. He recalled that during previous campuses, questions about abortion were put to PSL President Władysław Kosiniak Kamysz and Poland 2050 leader Szymon Hołownia.
They made it clear what their position was on this. The problem is that many Poles did not hear it
– he emphasized.
Campus Poland of the Future is being held for the fourth time. This year’s speakers include: the leader of the Belarusian Democratic Forces Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, the Vice-President of the European Commission Vera Jourova, and the former Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin.
This year, several thematic groups have been identified on which the main events will focus. These include: security – both local and global, competences of the future, a series of topics called the “diverse society”, as well as commonly understood living comfort, economy and technologies.
READ ALSO: The head of the PO has disappointed the left-wing electorate again! Tusk on Campus: There will be no majority for legal abortion this semester
mly/PAP
Source: wPolityce
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.