“2025 will be a decisive year for Tusk, both in internal matters and on the European stage,” writes the French daily “Le Monde”, recalling that Polish Presidency coincides with the election campaign and then presidential elections in our country. The vote will take place in May.
“The overlapping of the presidential elections in Poland with the period presidency of the EU Council carries the risk that leadership Warsaw it will happen in the Community hostage of the election campaign of Donald Tusk's camp” – comments “Le Monde”.
“In order to complete its projects, Tusk's camp must take over the office of president. In this context, Tusk hopes that EU Presidency will allow him to show that his government's pro-European choices are the right oneswhich may become something of a kind “a showcase before the elections” – we read.
Tusk's position in the European Union. “Large influence”
As the French newspaper points out, there are a number of issues in which However, Tusk is not always in line with the European consensus. “Le Monde” points here to climate policy and migration and recalls that the government Coalition of October 15 he accepted in December amendment to the act on granting grants to foreigners international protection.
The above-mentioned provisions have been suspended the right to asylum. However, “Le Monde” points out that this ultimately happened with the approval of EU institutions, which is supposed to prove – according to the daily – Tusk's great influence in Brussels.
Among the elements building Tusk's position in the EU the journal mentions, among others, a strong network of contacts, including close relations with the new commissioner responsible for the budget Piotr Serafin and credibility in defense matters due to Poland's high expenditure for this purpose.
– Brussels breathed a sigh of relief after six months (of leadership – ed.) Viktor Orban's lone horseman. Poland's main challenge will be rebuilding unity Community and the revival of pro-European sentiments – she said in an interview for the French station BFM TV Caroline Loyerpublicist specializing in foreign affairs.
Polish Presidency of the European Union. How will we use it?
In the journalist's opinion, “the priority of the presidency is clearly defined.” – What do people want? They want security in every dimension – Loyer quotes the Polish ambassador to the EU Agnieszka Bartol. The commentator reminds that this includes, among others: about information, food, economic and energy security issues defense sphere. – This is what defense will be at the center of Poland's EU activitieswhich since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is almost on the front line, Loyer said.
– Warsaw wants to use the presidency to… explore new ways of financing EU defense (…). However, the issuance of common debt to finance activities in this area remains a sensitive topic for some countries Member States, including for German i Netherlands – by Caroline Loyer.
He points out that the starting point for further work may be the so-called White Paper on European Defenseto be presented by European Commission in March. Moreover – as French television emphasizes – it will be important for Poland to move forward matters of EU enlargement to Ukraine, Moldova i Georgia and the issue of making the Community independent of Russian energy resources.
Warsaw will also face a challenge next presidency Donald Trumpwhich raises concerns in the EU about reducing aid to Ukraine and the risk of starting an EU-US trade war.
Italian daily about Tusk's role: The best possible friend
In turn, the Italian daily “Corriere della Sera”, in an article on the Polish presidency of the EU Council, emphasizes on Thursday that for Ukraine, Donald Tusk is “the best possible friend”. As he adds, “no one mourns the Hungarian presidency too much” and notes that the Polish Prime Minister “is accurate the opposite of its Hungarian predecessor Viktor Orban, who – without warning his partners – went to shake hands Vladimir Putin“.
According to the author of the text, the inauguration ceremony Polish Presidency of the EU Councilwhich will take place in Gdańsk January 9, “will give some encouragement to Ukraine”. “In Brussels, Tusk's presidency is perceived as a dose of oxygen,” he notes, emphasizing that “in the face of the French and German leadership weakened by internal political crises, Warsaw has great ambitions.”
“But the real topic,” notes Corriere della Sera, “is Ukraine and the fight against Russian interference in 2025 during the elections in Germany, Moldova and Romania“. “There is Donald and Donald”, “the T factor” – he adds, writing and Tusk and American president elect Donald Trump.
Emphasizing that president of Ukrainy Volodymyr Zelensky sees a “chance for peace” in the future US administration, the commentator writes that “with the T factor” he may be able to “connect Americans and Europeans more than it seems.”