Deeply polarised Poland gears up for make-or-break election

Donald Tusk’s coalition has not yet achieved many of the tasks he set, partly down to Andrzej Duda’s presidential veto but also divisions within his own government. Photograph: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Rex/Shutterstock

Donald Tusk’s government in Poland is gearing up for a crucial presidential election next year, after a first year in office that has been marked by clashes with the current president, Andrzej Duda, as well as splits within the ruling coalition.

Tusk took office as prime minister last December, ending eight years of rule by the populist Law and Justice (PiS) party. The change of government prompted celebrations from progressive Poles and relief in Brussels, where PiS had put Poland on a course of conflict with European bodies.