The Polish government will not support Donald Tusk for a second term as the president of the European Council, the head of the governing Law and Justice (PiS) has said.

Tusk served as Prime Minister of Poland between 2007 and 2014, and had earlier cofounded the Civic Platform (PO) party, now in opposition.

Speaking to the wSieci weekly, PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński – a major figure in Polish politics – said that: “This is a man, who according to my knowledge, could face criminal charges”, adding that these could relate to the 2010 Smolensk plane crash as well as other issues.

The Tusk’s term as President of the European Council ends next year.

PiS politicians have already indicated that the government would not support Tusk for a second term in office.

The issue of supporting Tusk’s term has divided Polish politicians in recent weeks.

MPs from the ruling PiS party say that Tusk should no longer head the European Council, because – in their opinion – he has done little for Poland since taking on the role in 2014.

Meanwhile, the leading opposition MPs claim that the Poles should be supported by all political fractions for occupying important positions within the EU.

The PiS party has commenced investigations into the 2010 Smolensk crash, which killed then President Lech Kaczyński as well as 95 others, as well as the collapse of the Amber Gold pyramid scheme. Both happened during Tusk's term as Polish PM.

(rg)

Source: PAP