Donald Tusk: EU debate on Poland a 'sad affair'

“Representatives of the Polish government had to defend policies that are being challenged and causing a lot of emotion in Europe, the world and in Poland itself,” the former Polish prime minister told reporters, referring to the reforms to public media and the judiciary that prompted an ongoing European Commission inquiry.

Tusk, who until September 2014 headed the Civic Platform party that was defeated by the socially conservative Law and Justice in the October 2015 general election, said he did agree with Poland's current prime minister on some points.

“I agree with Prime Minister Beata Szydło on three matters: that the Poles are a very proud nation, that Poland is a beautiful country and that Poland is developing well and has a chance to become the champion of Europe,” he said.

Referring to the range of reforms rushed through the Polish parliament that led to the Strasbourg debate', Tusk argued that “something in Warsaw and Law and Justice policy should be changed, if restoring confidence is to become a reality.”

Polish foreign minister applauds PM's performance

Meanwhile, Poland's foreign minister enthused on Wednesday in an interview with Polish Radio that “a new European leader was born in Strasbourg yesterday – she is called Beata Szydło.”

He likewise criticised the fact that the debate itself had been held.

“The debate was brought about by European technocrats, who support the Polish opposition,” he argued.

Krzyszof Szczerski, Secretary of State in President Andrzej Duda's chancellery, said that “following the European Parliament debate we have a 2-0 result for the those in power [in Poland].”

He said that Duda's visit to Brussels on Monday, followed by Szydło's trip to Strasbourg on Tuesday, demonstated that “the government is sitting firmly on the horse, and holding the reins.” (nh/pk)