“The situation requires that the government includes substantive tough guys and tough women,” says former Prime Minister Waldemar Pawlak, and Donald Tusk and his coalition partners are preparing a team that will guarantee that fundamental decisions will be made already in the first days after taking power. He wants to show that the new government is coherent, efficient, does not waste the victory and does not allow itself to be outplayed by the president.
Representatives of the democratic opposition sat down at the table on Friday evening. The talks – only among the leaders – lasted until late at night. This is the only message for now: “We are ready. They will probably steal some more time, but that is all they can afford. We will not waste your victory,” wrote Donald Tusk on social media.
Politicians who know the background of the negotiations argue that the talks are taking place in a good atmosphere, that there are still several options on the table and that there is no possibility that an agreement will not be reached. – I am full of good hope. It is a matter of time and consistent action – emphasizes Grzegorz Schetyna, PO senator. – This will not divide us, and in this diversity we can also find strength – adds Piotr Zgorzelski, PSL MP.
The first step is to choose a candidate for Speaker of the Sejm. Both Szymon Hołownia and Włodzimierz Czarzasty are expected to fight for Elżbieta Witek’s seat. The latter probably has no chance, due to the poor result of the New Left. – We are ready to take on this role within the framework of the Third Way, but none of us will use Rejtan. None of us will claim that it is only him and no one else – reassures Szymon Hołownia, leader of Poland 2050.
The Senate Marshal’s seat would go to a woman. Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska and Magdalena Biejat appear on the list of names. – We will make decisions together. We’ll see what happens. For now, I would prefer not to comment on personnel decisions, says Magdalena Biejat, co-chair of the Razem Party.
Who will get which resort?
The leaders are negotiating how to allocate 17 ministries and several positions in the prime minister’s office among their parties. Donald Tusk – according to information from “Fakty” TVN – wants to have control over the ministries of finance, justice, internal affairs and administration, state assets, culture, as well as the minister of European affairs. PSL will not resign from the Minister of Agriculture. Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz himself, with the portfolio of deputy prime minister, would take over either the ministry of development or national defense. If Szymon Hołownia took over as Speaker of the Sejm, his party could count on the Ministry of Climate and Environment, otherwise – along with the deputy prime minister’s portfolio – Hołownia is fighting either for education or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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The New Left also wants to manage education, but the Third Way leaders were supposed to protest here. The New Left is to take the position of Minister of Digital Affairs. Their game is also about the family resort. What needs to be emphasized is that this is only unofficial information for now.
– We want the system that will be created to be very stable. So that each partner in this coalition feels good, is satisfied and takes co-responsibility for governance – emphasizes Marcin Kierwiński, PO MP. The only option that the leaders are considering is the rotation of the seats of the Speakers of the Sejm and Senate, which would mean a change after two years.
Moreover – as we hear – especially in the first year, Donald Tusk wants to have proven and experienced people on board, because working in ministries will require quick and tough decisions. – Managing this situation requires really substantive tough guys in the government who will be able to manage it – emphasizes Waldemar Pawlak, PSL senator. The leaders are scheduled to return to talks on Monday.
Main photo source: Fakty TVN