Opposition leader congratulates Tusk on becoming Poland’s new premier

December 12, Pozirk. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja congratulated Donald Tusk on his election as Poland’s prime minister.

Tusk’s leadership and capacity for strategic vision will be a strong incentive for strengthening and developing Polish-Belarusian relations, she noted. The Belarusian and Polish peoples will only benefit from it, the politician said.

“I know that your experience and energy will help strengthen Poland and improve the welfare of the Polish people,” Cichanoŭskaja’s press office quoted her as saying. “I am grateful to you for the assistance you have provided to Belarus for many years. I felt your support and solidarity after 2020.”

Close cooperation with Tusk’s government may accelerate democratic transformation in Belarus and secure the release of political prisoners, including jailed reporter and Polish minority activist Andrej Pačobut (Andrzej Poczobut), she noted.

Donald Tusk was voted in as prime minister after opposition parties won a majority in the October 15 election.

Poland has consistently criticized Alaksandr Łukašenka’s regime, taking a tougher stance in February after Pačobut had been sentenced to eight years in prison on what Polish officials dismissed as trumped-up charges.