Donald Tusk sets out vision of a progressive Poland at heart of EU

Donald Tusk has presented his vision of a new, progressive Poland at the heart of the EU, as his government won a vote of confidence in parliament on Tuesday.

“Poland will regain its position as a leader in the European Union,” Tusk told the Sejm, the lower house of parliament, during a speech on Tuesday. He promised to “bring back billions of euros” of EU funds to Poland, which were frozen due to a dispute between Brussels and the outgoing Law and Justice (PiS) government over rule-of-law concerns.

Soon after he spoke, however, the proceedings were plunged into chaoswhen a far-right MP used a fire extinguisher to put out Hanukkah candles in the parliament, leading the speaker to exclude him from the sitting. Condemning Grzegorz Braun of the far-right Confederation party, Tusk said the incident was “unacceptable” and “a disgrace”.

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