WARSAW, Poland – Newly appointed Prime Minister Donald Tusk was sworn in by Polish President on Wednesday, completing the shift away from the nationalist rule that had been in power for the last eight years. Tusk’s appointment has raised hopes of improved relations with the European Union, following years of disputes between Warsaw and Brussels under the previous government led by the Law and Justice (PiS) party.

In a speech to parliament, Tusk vowed to secure billions of euros for Poland that had been frozen by the EU over concerns about the rule of law. However, he faces challenges such as judges appointed under PiS reforms that critics said undermined the independence of the courts, and the power to veto laws held by President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally.

Despite previous criticism from Duda, he struck a conciliatory tone following the swearing-in ceremony, expressing openness to cooperation with the new government. Tusk, in turn, emphasized the restoration of the rule of law and respect for the constitution as a focus of his government.

The challenges facing Tusk include a ruling by Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal on the unconstitutionality of judicial reform legislation needed to access EU funds, as well as strains on the budget from last-minute spending by the previous government. Tusk is expected to travel to Brussels for an EU summit to address these issues and add his support to Ukraine’s bid to join the bloc.

In conclusion, newly appointed Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s swearing-in ceremony marks a significant shift away from nationalist rule in Poland. His government faces challenges in repairing ties with the European Union and addressing budget strains, but has expressed a commitment to restoring the rule of law and respect for the constitution.