Tusk unveils major cabinet reshuffle amid coalition crisis
The reshuffle follows the presidential election defeat of Civic Platform candidate and Tusk ally Rafał Trzaskowski, as well as slumping poll numbers that have emboldened junior coalition partners.
The centre-right Poland 2050 party pushed for the creation of a deputy prime minister post, while the Polish People's Party (PSL) even suggested replacing Tusk with its leader and defence minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. These demands were ultimately dismissed.
Although Tusk insisted that the overhaul would not alter the coalition's 'major goals' since taking power in 2023, the changes mark a clear shift in direction.
Justice Minister Adam Bodnar, the architect of Poland's EU-approved rule-of-law plan, is set to leave the government. Although he was praised for unlocking EU cohesion and recovery funds that had been frozen under the PiS-led administration, Bodnar has faced mounting criticism over the slow pace of judicial reform. He will be replaced by Waldemar Żurek, a vocal critic of the judicial changes introduced during the PiS era, who is expected to continue the reform agenda.
Tusk also announced that the number of ministries would be reduced from 26 to 21, stating that the goal was to build 'not the biggest government, but the best one.'
Two new 'super ministries' were also announced: an energy ministry, which will be led by Miłosz Motyka (PSL); and an economy ministry, which has been added to the portfolio of Finance Minister Andrzej Domański.
Despite the shakeup, public confidence remains low. A poll by SW Research for Onet found that 40% of Poles believe the reshuffle will do little to improve the government's image.
(cs, de)
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