Summary of the blog
Speaking in the Polish parliament this morning, incoming prime minister Donald Tusk said the October election “will go down in history as the day of peaceful rebellion for freedom and democracy”.
In his speech, Tusk spoke out against xenophobia and said “we can protect the Polish and European border and be human at the same time”.
The incoming prime minister also said “we will demand full mobilisation of the west to help Ukraine” but noted that “we must remain assertive when it comes to the interests of, among others, Polish farmers”.
Tusk presented his ministers, which include the well-known former ombudsman Adam Bodnar as minister of justice. Radosław Sikorski is to return as foreign minister.
He also emphasised his goal of making Warsaw a player on the European stage, pledging: “I can guarantee you that we will make Poland return to its rightful place.”
The new leader said “the time has come for Poland to be happy”.
As the Polish parliament prepared for a vote in confidence in the new government, MP Grzegorz Braun, a member of the far-right Konfederacja, used a fire extinguisher inside the parliament building to put out candles lit for Hanukkah.
His actions drew widespread condemnation inside and outside Poland.
Tusk said the far-right politician’s action was a “disgrace”.
Israel’s ambassador to Poland, Yacov Livne, said the incident brought “shame..”
Mark Brzezinski, the US ambassador in Warsaw, said he was “outraged by the nasty antisemitic act”.
MPs from the Konfederacja party condemned Braun’s behaviour.
Updated
Sejm to go ahead with vote of confidence
The Polish parliament has rejected a proposal to postpone a vote of confidence in a new government. Two hundred and fifty MPs voted against.
Guardian contributor Katarzyna Piasecka reported from Warsaw
Updated
