Polish Opposition Pushes for Independent Oversight as Tusk Seeks Clearer Power Structures
Access to the outside world from the settlement appears blocked, a situation Tusk, the leader of the Civic Platform, frames as requiring action by an independent prosecutor’s office, independent courts, and the Supreme Court. In a recent interview with Newsweek, he contends that a June 4 march could reveal the size of their movement and trigger warnings among the authorities.
In the same conversation with Newsweek, Tusk commented on Jarosław Kaczyński, describing his camp as populated by individuals who are deeply motivated by him, even if their actions are troubling to others. He labeled some figures as personally distasteful yet acknowledged their political influence within the current framework.
Attack on PiS
In his assessment, those who cynically involve children in political struggles engage in shameless and reckless behavior. He underscored a pattern of deception that he says is characteristic of PiS supporters, arguing that even the worst evils can be tolerated if they serve the party’s aims or at least do not hinder the pursuit of power.
Regarding Prime Minister Morawiecki, Tusk said the man is not a prime minister in the sense of the system. He argued that Morawiecki makes few decisions, wields little real power, and presides over a spectacle where ministers challenge him. Tusk suggested this situation displays a lack of respect for the prime minister and shows that his authority is undermined.
According to Tusk, the Prime Minister’s fate appears tied to the desires and actions of Jarosław Kaczyński, and the rest of the cabinet seems to sense that dynamic immediately.
The central challenge, as Tusk framed it, is convincing those angered by recent events that removing PiS from power will not simply return them to the previous status quo. He argued that a settlement, or peaceful political transition, is obvious and necessary for stability.
The PO leader plays sheriff
On the topic of Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, Tusk said Ziobro should appear before an independent prosecutor. When asked what Ziobro might be charged with, Tusk replied that employing the Justice Fund, meant to aid crime victims, for partisan purposes could constitute a crime rather than an ethical breach.
He asserted that there could be no withdrawal from the settlement, with independent prosecutors, independent courts, and the High Court of Auditors taking the lead. He described PiS governance as a string of well-documented offenses, constitutional violations, and breaches of legal norms, insisting that political will must align to rebuild legitimate institutions through new laws.
Asked about the so‑called “neo-judges” and whether they would remain or be replaced by the opposition, he replied that the legal community and judges loyal to integrity should guide this discussion. He also touched on what a government led by Tusk would prioritize in its first moves, noting that the current environment, including an unfriendly president, war, and inflation higher than in many EU peers, would make governing challenging but not impossible.
Tusk said a set of ready-made legal measures existed and that, at the Sejm’s first session, the coalition could advance what he had signaled. Among the proposals were increases to aid schemes for the elderly, an expanded tax-free threshold, a zero-interest housing loan, and an 800-plus social support plan.
Tuskl wants the liquidation of the CBA
Among his listed next steps, Tusk mentioned dissolving the Central Anticorruption Bureau and replacing it with a structure designed to fight corruption more independently of the executive branch. He also proposed a rapid public media reform program aimed at restoring balance and transparency. Regarding the public prosecutor’s office, he spoke about reestablishing a framework that would shield its independence, creating a protective umbrella around its actions.
He warned that PiS would continue to press for power on multiple fronts, even in the face of elections, suggesting the party might pursue strategies to retain influence regardless of political outcomes.
Polls at the time showed a broad public concern that the government could manipulate elections or declare a state of emergency to avoid handing over power, a concern Tusk acknowledged and said he would work to alleviate by proving that change is possible when more people join the movement.
When asked whether he feared reprisals, Tusk described ruling party members as mentally prepared for dirty tricks and abuses to avoid losing power. He asserted that many would face imprisonment for their actions, underscoring that the path to change requires visible, growing support from the people.
He recalled the March 4, later dubbed a plan for June 4, organized to show strength in numbers. When asked if marching would offer hope, he stated that it could coexist with other strategies, emphasizing that the aim is to reinforce people’s belief in their own power so authorities would take notice of the crowd.
On Russia, he pledged to act decisively to prevent PiS from regretting its choices and to establish a committee that would examine Russian influence. He claimed the committee would be a strong move that would have a lasting impact and warned that the appointment would be a serious setback for the party involved.
In closing, he described a moment of heightened tension in Polish politics, with rhetoric rising and calls for accountability intensifying. The dialogue centered on restoring independent oversight, rebalancing institutions, and ensuring that future governance would be rooted in rule of law and public confidence rather than partisan power struggles.