On June 11, 2025, Poland's centrist government achieved a significant milestone by winning a confidence vote in Parliament, which helped stabilize the political landscape of the European Union's eastern flank as it intensifies its support for Ukraine.

The vote, initiated by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, came after Karol Nawrocki, a nationalist historian and political opponent, emerged victorious in the recent presidential elections, a development that posed challenges to Tusk’s standing. In the parliamentary session, 243 lawmakers supported Tusk's government while 210 opposed it, ensuring a solid majority in the 460-member body.

In his remarks to the Parliament, Tusk acknowledged the implications of Nawrocki's win, noting the challenges ahead that were “greater than we expected.” However, he emphasized that the presidential role is largely ceremonial and should not impede the government’s responsibilities, capabilities, or authority.

The confidence vote marks a setback for the Law and Justice party, which had anticipated a resurgence in power should early elections arise. A failed vote could have prompted Tusk to resign within 18 months of taking office.

Following Nawrocki's victory and pressure to resign from the opposition, Tusk referred to the situation as possessing "gravity," yet expressed determination by declaring, "we do not intend to take a single step back." Nawrocki, like former President Andrzej Duda, is affiliated with a party that has historically enforced a more conservative agenda, potentially creating tension between the presidency and Tusk’s government.

Although the Polish president lacks significant policy influence, they possess the ability to veto legislative decisions, a power that could potentially obstruct Tusk’s agenda, including efforts to mend relations with the European Union and reverse previous judicial reforms and restrictive abortion laws instigated by Law and Justice during their tenure.

While the Law and Justice party lost its parliamentary majority in the 2023 elections, Tusk's coalition government has comprised diverse factions of liberals, centrists, and conservatives, united primarily by their opposition to Law and Justice.

Anatol Magdziarz contributed to this report. Andrew Higgins serves as the East and Central Europe bureau chief for The Times, stationed in Warsaw.