EU presidency Tusk's revival masks deeper divisions with neighbours

Germany's chancellor appears to be heading for defeat; France's president is mired in crisis.

- By Jennifer Rankin BRUSSELS

But while Europe's traditional power duo is in the doldrums, there is a strong, stable and pro-EU leader east of Paris and Berlin - Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk.

For European officials, it's a helpful gift of the calendar, as Poland took charge of the EU Council presidency this month.

Tusk, a former European Council president, returned as Poland's prime minister in 2023, leading a broad coalition that defeated the rightwing populist party, Law and Justice (PiS). One of his first acts was to end a long-festering dispute with Brussels, with a pledge to restore constitutional norms. Tusk later showed his influence inside the European Council of EU leaders, helping to orchestrate the return of his centre-right ally, Ursula von der Leyen, as European Commission president.

An EU presidency is a technical business. Tusk has no formal role. But symbolism matters.

The presidency logo, a Polish flag entwined with the letters "E" and "U" is intended to project Poland's return to the European mainstream.