“It’s important for the institutions to continue to follow up on the reforms for veritable separation of power,” said Ana Catarina Mendes, the vice chair of the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament who led on a report last year on rule of law in Poland.
Nawrocki, who is able to propose legislation as president, has promised to push through popular measures like doubling the amount of tax-free income for individuals — an idea abandoned by the Tusk government over deficit worries.
“Nawrocki will definitely want to put the government in a difficult position by presenting proposals aligned with the government’s earlier promises or policy goals, which the government has failed to deliver,” Stanley said.
Nawrocki has pledged to tour Poland to promote his tax ideas, such as no tax for families with two or more children, lowering the VAT rate and other tax cuts that would sap the budget of tens of billions.
Tusk has already fired back, saying last week: “I will not allow Mr Nawrocki, once he’s sworn in as president, to politically sabotage the government.”
Nawrocki has also promised to veto any laws that “change the shape of national identity, or surrender Poland’s sovereignty to authorities outside the Republic” — a jab at the EU, immigration policy and at issues like changing abortion laws and giving more rights to LGBTQ+ people.