When examining Donald Tusk’s political path, critics note that he has toppled several prominent figures, including Jan Rokita, Andrzej Olechowski, Paweł Piskorski, and has clashed with Grzegorz Schetyna among others. One PiS MP described him as someone who would remove anyone who poses a threat or resists control, casting him as unscrupulous in political maneuvering.
Will there be “Swap 2023”?
Is there a chance the Citizens’ Coalition might repeat the 2020 move featuring Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska and Rafał Trzaskowski, but this time positioning the Warsaw mayor as the candidate for prime minister instead of Donald Tusk?
Onet.pl warned that PiS intends to push Trzaskowski forward and could seek to remove the PO’s deputy chairman from the Warsaw mayor’s office. Rafał Bochenek, a spokesman for Law and Justice, argued that it is actually the PO that wants Trzaskowski, not Tusk, to run for prime minister.
Behind the scenes, it was suggested that Donald Tusk would not leave, and the party has grown anxious. There was talk of a replacement for Trzaskowski, framed as a purely political shift, and discussions within PO about Demianas2023 or other changes were floated as possible scenarios. The exchange began to circulate on social media.
That signal appeared in a tweet from a party insider.
“Turning the plague into cholera”
PiS MP Piotr Kaleta commented on possible moves to replace the prime minister-designate. He argued that the matter is not his or Law and Justice’s direct concern, yet it is worth watching what happens within the opposition, noting that a change could amount to replacing one misfortune with another.
Rafał Trzaskowski is described as a politician who, in Kaleta’s view, misses the mark on managing the capital city. He asked readers to imagine the impact of similar policies on the entire country.
Kaleta suggested that such a change, if it occurred, would be driven more by optics and public relations than by solid policy, and he doubted Donald Tusk would allow a shift if it did not align with his approach. He described Tusk as a formed political figure who would not easily concede to a broad change, implying it would be part of an election strategy.
According to the lawmaker, the prospect would be framed as a matter of image rather than substance.
He added that Trzaskowski’s leadership shortcomings in the capital weighed against broader nationwide changes, and he hinted that Tusk would resist any move that undermined his position.
Tusk? “He’s a weak man to really be afraid of”
At present, several politicians avoid commenting, while a group aligned with Tusk speaks on his behalf, with others cautious about future statements. The Sejm lobby has also been noted for its reticence toward public commentary about Tusk’s next moves.
Observers noted that Tusk’s recent statements, whether aimed at voters or potential coalition partners, have been controversial. The question remains whether remarks like proposals for reparations or calls that spark debates among smaller parties will help his political standing.
Kaleta described these expressions as revealing of Tusk’s character, arguing that some statements reflect a fragile personality rather than decisive leadership.
He warned of the fearsome prospect of a government led by someone perceived as antagonistic to certain factions, describing it as a nightmare for the country and urging citizens to consider the direction of their nation.
Kaleta emphasized the point by recalling Tusk’s lengthy political career, noting opponents he has faced and portraying Tusk as someone capable of removing rivals to protect his own position.
“They are hungry people and therefore – simply dangerous”
What could a united opposition government look like if a joint list were achieved? Kaleta suggested such a government would be temporary, with the core issue being the distribution of positions and the struggle to secure influence. He characterized those in the opposition as driven by ambition rather than national well-being and warned that their hunger could translate into danger.
Recently, one aspect of Tusk and PO’s program involved discussions about a potential PiS-Confederation coalition. The interlocutor was asked whether such a scenario could really happen.
The PiS representative insisted on taking responsibility for past actions and called for accountability in the Senate, framing these issues as the current focus of their work.
There were mentions of related discussions: speculation about swapping Tusk for Trzaskowski, and reflections on how Hołownia might be affected. A spokesperson for PiS noted that backstage nerves were observed and that the party was watching developments closely.
Source: wPolityce