Several Polish ruling party figures support opposition MEP for top EU job
PR dla Zagranicy
Roberto Galea
02.03.2017 09:29
At least two senior figures from Poland's governing Law and Justice (PiS) party think that MEP Jacek Saryusz-Wolski would be a better candidate for European Council president than Donald Tusk.
MEP Jacek Saryusz-Wolski. Photo: PAP/Maciej Kulczyński
Earlier this week, the Financial Times said that Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło has sounded out other EU member states over a proposal to replace former Polish PM Tusk with Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, an MEP for Poland’s opposition Civic Platform (PO) party.
On Thursday, the PAP news agency reported that Senate Speaker Stanisław Karczewski and Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski have expressed their support for Saryusz-Wolski's bid for the post.
The PO party has requested that Szydło clarify whether the government is supporting the candidature of another politician.
Members of the PiS party have said that Tusk, who co-founded PO, should not be appointed for a second term.
PAP quotes sources close to the discussions say Tusk's bid is unacceptable “under any circumstances”, adding that Saryusz-Wolski would make an “interesting alternative”.
(rg/pk)