The Brexit dispute had once again demanded everything, now ends Donald Tusk's term as EU Council President. How it will continue for Poland from December, is still unclear. At least Tusk has now announced what he does not want to do: run for president in the Polish presidential election next year.
"After careful consideration, I have decided not to compete as a candidate," said the former Polish Prime Minister on Tuesday the television stations Polsat News and TVN24. In order to win the election, the opposition would have to send a candidate into the race who is "not burdened by difficult, unpopular decisions".
As prime minister Tusk succeeded in a historic re-election
Among the opponents of the national-conservative ruling party of President Andrzej Duda Tusk was considered the bearer of hope for the election in May 2020. Duda wants to compete again. Tusk was Prime Minister of Poland from 2007 to 2014 and the first politician since 1989 to be re-elected to the post. He firmly anchored his country as head of government in the EU.
His government, however, lost more and more popular support because of the increase in the retirement age to 67 years and several political scandals. Finally, Tusk continued his political career in Brussels: in 2014 he was elected EU Council President, 2017 confirmed in office.
Tusk had repeatedly campaigned vigorously for shifts in the Brexit date to prevent Britain from leaving the EU. He often announced his decisions and recommendations via Twitter. His term as President of the Council will run until the end of November.