Tusk positions Sikorski as the head of the Foreign Ministry, a move some PiS members, including Beata Szydło, argue could strain Poland’s ties within NATO.
At Friday’s conference, the leader of the Civic Platform coalition partner, Donald Tusk, announced that Radosław Sikorski is a candidate for the ministry’s top role. After meeting with potential ministers, Tusk stated that Sikorski, currently a Member of the European Parliament, has been limited by his duties there. He noted that Sikorski must clear formalities before taking a cabinet position and affirmed his intention to appoint him as secretary of state, with no change to the plan in that regard.
Beata Szydło, a former prime minister and PiS member, commented on the development via the X platform, a social media outlet formerly known as Twitter.
Tusk’s view is to appoint Sikorski to head the Foreign Ministry. Sikorski previously drew attention when his remarks were interpreted in some Russian media as a suggestion of American involvement in the Nord Stream incident. Earlier, he was involved in a diplomatic narrative with Russia by hosting Lavrov at a meeting with Polish ambassadors.
In Szydło’s words, the appointment would have negative implications for Poland’s relations within NATO.
As November closed, President Andrzej Duda swore in a new government led by Mateusz Morawiecki, a process described as the first constitutional step. On December 11, the Prime Minister is set to present a motion to the Sejm seeking confidence for the government. If the motion fails, the Sejm would assume responsibility for forming a government. The KO, Third Way, and Left coalition holds a numerical advantage with 248 MPs.
Names linked to Donald Tusk’s government
Tusk indicated that the future Minister of Justice would be Adam Bodnar, a former Ombudsman; the Minister of Finance would be Andrzej Domański; Barbara Nowacka from KO is proposed as Minister of Education. Dariusz Wieczorek of New Left is expected to head Science, and Czesław Siekierski from PSL is named as Minister of Agriculture. Adam Szłapka could serve as Minister of the European Union, with the Industry Ministry to be based in Katowice led by Marzena Czarnecka.
Earlier reporting suggested that Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz of PSL might become deputy prime minister and minister of national defense, with Krzysztof Gawkowski of New Left as deputy prime minister and minister of digital affairs.
Other potential ministers include Marcin Kierwiński for the Interior and Administration, Tomasz Siemoniak coordinating intelligence services; Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz for Culture and National Heritage; Borys Budka for State Assets; Sławomir Nitras for Sports and Tourism; Izabela Leszczyna for Health; Dariusz Klimczak for Infrastructure; Krzysztof Hetman for Development and Technology; Paulina Hennig-Kloska for Climate and Environment; Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz for Funds and Regional Policy; Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk for Family Affairs and Social Policy.
Marzena Okła-Drewnowicz is also expected to join the government as Minister Member of the Council of Ministers, responsible for Higher Policy; Katarzyna Kotula for Equality; Agnieszka Buczyńska for Civil Society. Jan Grabiec could serve as minister-member of the Council of Ministers and head of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, while Maciej Berek might become secretary of the Council and lead the Government Legislative Center.
tkwl/PAP/X
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