The European Coalition scored a good result in EU election, higher than polls had suggested, however Law and Justice came off much better than anyone had expected - said European Council President Donald Tusk on Tuesday in his comment on the outcome of European election in Poland. He also called upon Polish opposition: "before you contemplate becoming divided, think thrice if you got what it takes to win separately".
On Monday (May 27) the National Electoral Commission published the official results of the EU election in Poland. Law and Justice (PiS) secured 27 seats, European Coalition - 22 and Wiosna (Spring) party - 3.
"Something very optimistic"
On Tuesday afternoon, Donald Tusk commented on the results for the first time since their release. The European Council President and former Polish PM underscored an unusually high voter turnout (45,68 percent). "In my opinion, this is something very optimistic. So many of our compatriots, but also people in many other countries, have understood that the European election also directly affect the future and fate of Poles. Therefore, from the perspective of the EU as a whole, this is a positive sign," he stressed.
Speaking on the results of the Polish vote, Tusk said that: "paradoxically, both winners and runners-up have reasons for satisfaction". He also added that "first and foremost, I would like to congratulate all the people who took part in the vote and thereby demonstrated their attachment to Europe, to their representatives and their parties".
Tusk on Law and Justice's victory
According to the former Polish PM, "the European Coalition scored a good result in EU election, higher than polls had suggested, however Law and Justice came off much better than anyone had expected".
"As a result, the ruling party have reasons for satisfaction, as they have very skilfully used tools at hand to convince Poles," he said. He pointed, among others, to the social policy and to "even direct presents handed over right before the election". "Such actions can impress voters, no wonder, there's no point in complaining against this fact. Current economy allows a more pro-social policy and PiS takes full advantage of this situation," he explained. According to Tusk, "the opposition cannot do the same" and thus their election result "was also very good".
Commenting on Law and Justice's victory, Tusk mentioned the important role of state-run media and their "very biased, aggressive pro-government propaganda".
"Taking into account the follwing two facts: "full control over public media and the possibility to run a generous social policy, their (PiS) advantage is quite understandable and justified. It's no wonder to me. I admit it without satisfaction because, obviosly, my heart was with my friends from the opposition, but we must respect the outcome," Tusk said.
The future of coalition?
Asked about the mistakes made by the European Coalition and the formation's future, the former PM said: "a certain choice has been made, a rather big tent. This has its advantages and costs. I think that only such wide coalition was able to win nearly 39 percent of votes, because that's a really good result. Overshadowed by PiS' result, but still objectively very good".
He also pointed out that "it's harder for voters to associate with a coalition with so many different camps". "That's why I have strong respect for the effort and the choice made by the coalition leaders, although they do have a lot to think through. I think that building something, instead of destructing, is always a value in itself," he said.
"If someone asked about my advice, I would recommend this to all oppostion members: emotions are high and that's ok, but in a few days you should return to a serious brainstorm to find the most effective approach for them," Tusk advised.
A call to opposition
The Polish People's Party's leader Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Monday in TVN24's "Kropka nad i" that "apparently, Donald Tusk mobilised more Law and Justice supporters than those of the European Coalition". The former Polish PM replied on Tuesday: "I treat this as a compliment, as long as it's true that my three visits to Poland motivated people to vote, if so than there's no reason to be sad. If I really raise emotions in people, give them reasons to mobilise, to become active on both sides of the political spectrum, then I guess there's nothing that wrong with me".
"I treat the signals coming from PiS saying that "Tusk's over" as maybe not too elegant, but still a compliment; they still have problem with me," he added. "Of course, I do realise that I'm an object of emotional judgements. It's not my intention to tell anything to those who made all that great effort and who are still in emotions today. I do not wish to replace them organising the life of the opposition," he underscored.
Tusk admitted that he already had a chance to speak to "a few people", including Civic Platform's leader Grzegorz Schetyna.
"They know my opinion. Roughly speaking: before you contemplate becoming divided, think thrice if you got what it takes to win separately," Tusk advised again. In his opinion, "it's not worth to waste this huge effort, also made by voters". "If I were in coalition leaders' shoes, I would be very cautious before making steps to find a new approach," he added.
Tusk on his future
Tusk was also asked about how he sees his potential involvement in the campaign before the next election. "The calendar doesn't leave too many options. My tenure (as European Council President) ends after the parliamentary election in Poland and that clearly sums up my potential involvement in Polish affairs," he explained. He also reassured that he definitely won't be imposing his advice or help on anyone, as long as they claim they don't need me to".
"If I pushed aside for a moment the emotional reactions by politicians and seriously consider what people tell me when I'm in Poland, then I would have no doubt that many Poles have certain expectations regarding my advice or activity," Tusk said. He explained that he will seek "ways to support all those who share my vision of democratic Poland and prosperous nation".
Asked about his potential run in presidential election or launching a new party, Tusk said: "I have a quite rich political experience and I know that it's much easier to destroy than to build".
"Building, indeed, takes a lot of time. In my view, there's not enough time for a total reconstruction of the opposition, before the parliamentary election," he said. "My first advice for Polish politicians as a whole, but especially to the opposition would be for them to try to speak positively about themselves. They made a great effort. It was, in my opinion, a good step and a fair result. There's no reason to be either euphoric or satisfied because victory is what matters, however, they have done some serious work," he stressed.
According to Tusk, what's absolutely necessary to think about winning is to search for people not only in big cities, not only in political parties and reaching out much further. "I think we need to think beyond this devilish alternative: either stick to what we have or to raze it down and build from scratch. There much wiser, third options: to keep what and preserve what was built, but not thinking that it's enough, because it isn't," said Donald Tusk.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: tvn24