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Poland election: Tusk’s opposition eyes power after pivotal vote

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In Poland’s recent general election, the opposition parties have gathered enough votes to remove the ruling right-wing populist Law and Justice (PiS) party from power. The National Election Commission confirmed PiS’s victory with 35.38% of the vote, surpassing the centrist opposition Civic Coalition led by Donald Tusk, which secured 30.7%.

Donald Tusk, with the support of the center-right Third Way and New Left parties, is likely to form a broad coalition, thus ending PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski’s eight-year rule. With 248 seats in the 460-seat Sejm, Mr. Tusk’s coalition would exceed the 231-seat threshold required for a majority.

Despite PiS losing 41 seats compared to the last election, their potential coalition with the far-right Confederation party would still fall short by 19 seats. The opposition had alerted Poles that this election was crucial in safeguarding democracy. Voter turnout was reported at 74.38%, the highest since the fall of communism in 1989.

Celebrations erupted in Warsaw, with Mr. Tusk addressing enthusiastic supporters, emphasizing that Poland and democracy had emerged victorious. Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski praised the power of civil society, highlighting the significant voter participation in the capital.

Poland’s stock market surged more than 6%, and the Zloty, its currency, also strengthened on the anticipation of a new government. International observers noted that although parties were allowed to campaign freely, PiS had an advantage due to biased state media coverage and the misuse of public funds.

PiS’s tenure has been characterized by an emphasis on Catholic family values, increases in the minimum wage, and enhancements in child support and pensioner payments. It also imposed a near-total ban on abortion in 2021 and faced criticism for politicizing the judiciary.

Mr. Tusk has pledged to improve relations with the EU and unlock €36bn of EU Covid pandemic recovery funds, frozen due to disputes over PiS’s judicial reforms. His coalition also aims to liberalize abortion laws.

Poland’s strong support for Ukraine since Russia’s invasion and its acceptance of a million refugees are expected to continue under the new government. However, the process of forming a new government might extend until December, following President Andrzej Duda’s announcement that the winning party would be given the first opportunity to form a coalition, adhering to Polish tradition.

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Brussels shooting: ‘Europe shaken’ after two Swedes shot dead

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Two Swedish nationals were fatally shot and another person wounded in Brussels, treated as a terrorist act by prosecutors. The Belgium-Sweden Euro 2024 qualifier was halted. Brussels is on high alert, searching for the gunman.

French President Macron, during a visit to Albania, expressed solidarity, calling it a shocking incident. Prosecutors opened a terrorism inquiry, urging the public to stay indoors. A video linked the attacker to the Islamic State.

Unverified footage shows an armed man entering a building. Belgian media reported victims in Swedish football shirts. The Swedish team declined to continue the match, supported by Belgium.

PM de Croo and EU President von der Leyen offered condolences and support for apprehending the suspect, emphasizing solidarity against terror.

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Citibank’s Legal Victory in Dismissal Case Linked to Alleged Lunch Misconduct

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Citibank recently emerged victorious in an employment tribunal after terminating Szabolcs Fekete’s employment over expenses related to meals for his partner. Fekete, a former analyst at the bank, initially claimed he alone consumed the food during a business trip, but later admitted his partner had shared some meals.

Despite citing personal difficulties during the incident, the tribunal ruled in favor of Citibank, emphasizing Fekete’s failure to make a timely and transparent disclosure.

The judge highlighted the expectation of honesty from employees, particularly in roles of trust within financial institutions. Citibank, expressing satisfaction with the decision, emphasized the importance of integrity in its workforce.

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Polish election: Right-wing ruling party to lose majority – exit poll

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According to an exit poll, Poland’s Law and Justice party, led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, is projected to secure the most seats in the general election but might not secure a third term. The party is estimated to receive 36.6% of the vote, with the Civic Coalition, led by Donald Tusk, closely trailing at 31%.

The high turnout, possibly the highest since the fall of communism, reflects the gravity of the election. While the initial results indicate PiS’s lead, it falls short of the majority needed.

Tusk aims to improve relations with the EU and unlock frozen EU Covid recovery funds, while Kaczynski maintains anti-migration policies. The final government formation depends on potential coalition building, with the fate of Poland’s political future at stake.

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Putin denies Russia behind Finland gas pipeline damage

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Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed accusations that Russia was responsible for the recent damage to the Baltic-connector gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia. Finnish officials, however, suspect external interference and possible Russian involvement.

Estonia’s Defense Minister also suggested that the damage was caused by more than just normal means. Despite this, President Putin denied any knowledge of the pipeline’s existence and suggested that the blame could lie with an anchor or seismic activity.

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed solidarity with Estonia and Finland, warning of a united response if the damage is proven to be deliberate. Finnish authorities confirmed that the damage was not due to regular usage or pressure changes and emphasized that the country’s energy security remains intact due to alternative gas sources. The incident has reignited concerns about energy security after previous Nord Stream pipeline incidents.

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France increases security alert after a knife assault at school

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The assailant, identified as 20-year-old Russian national Mohamed Mogouchkov of Chechen descent, had been on the radar of security services for his ties to Islamist extremism. Reports indicate that his history of using extremist language had raised concerns among school staff, underscoring the potential dangers of radicalization within educational environments.

Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron has strongly condemned the attack, urging unity in the face of such acts of violence. His visit to the school and subsequent remarks emphasized the heroic actions of the slain teacher, who courageously intervened to protect others. The recent incident has reignited concerns about the persistent threat of Islamist terrorism in France, prompting renewed discussions on counter-terrorism measures and community resilience.

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Germany migrants: Seven dead after vehicle crashes in Bavaria

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Certainly, the accident occurred during the early hours of Friday when a minivan, suspected to be involved in people-smuggling, crashed and overturned near Ampfing in Bavaria, Germany. Police had attempted to stop the vehicle at a road check, but the driver accelerated, leading to the tragic incident that claimed the lives of seven individuals. Among the more than 20 passengers were also children, as reported by the authorities.

This unfortunate incident adds to a recent surge in people-smuggling activities in various parts of Europe. Several countries, including Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic, have reinstated border checks in response to the escalating incidents. The A94 motorway, where the crash occurred, is often used as a route by people-smugglers crossing the border from Austria, highlighting the ongoing challenges related to human trafficking and illegal migration.

Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann emphasized the pressing need to strengthen border controls to prevent smugglers from exploiting vulnerable migrants and endangering lives in the process. With a significant increase in first-time asylum requests in Germany, authorities are intensifying efforts to tackle the root causes of illegal migration and ensure the safety and security of those seeking refuge within the country.

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Fatal Stabbing of Teacher in French School

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A teacher has been killed and two people have been seriously injured in a knife attack at a school in France, officials say. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said the attack happened at the Gambetta high school in the northern city of Arras.

Local officials say the attacker has been arrested. The attacker shouted “Allahu Akbar”, or “God is greatest”, during the attack, police told the AFP news agency. The attacker is believed to be in his 20s. French channel BFMTV has reported that the brother of the attacker has also been apprehended by police.

The channel said the person killed was a French language teacher, while a sports teacher was also stabbed and injured. Local media have reported that the attacker was a former pupil at the school. Police say the situation is now under control. French President Emmanuel Macron will visit the school later on Friday.

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Israel-Gaza: French Jewish politicians put under police protection

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French police are providing security for key lawmakers amid concerns of a surge in antisemitic violence linked to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet and MP Meyer Habib are among those receiving protection.

France’s interior minister revealed over 100 antisemitic incidents had been reported since hostilities began, including instances of graffiti with hate messages and individuals caught trying to bring weapons into schools and synagogues.

The situation has also seen Assembly President Braun-Pivet receive death threats. Germany is responding to the issue with a “zero tolerance” policy for antisemitism, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed the banning of the pro-Palestinian group Samidoun, which celebrated the Hamas attack. He emphasized that Israel’s security was a matter of German state policy.

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Poland election: Bitter campaign splits country ahead of key vote

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In the old Lenin shipyard in Gdansk, where striking workers were once the catalyst for major political change, young Poles now debate how to protect democracy in their country.

They worry that the rights and freedoms won by the Solidarity movement over three decades ago are at risk, as the ruling right-wing Law and Justice party, or PiS, campaigns to secure a record third term in office.

“It’s a very important election. We’re deciding whether we’re going back to being a democratic country,” was student activist Julia Landowska’s stark take on this weekend’s vote.

“This is our last call, to go to the election and fight for a better future in Poland.”

The event she helped organise was held under the slogan In My Day, Things Will Be Better.

A mixture of discussions and live music topped off with a silent disco, it was designed to encourage reluctant younger voters to the polls.

The activist’s worries are echoed by others in Gdansk, who point to the shrinking independence of the courts under a PiS government and backsliding on women’s rights, including a near-total ban on abortion.

There is also concern about media freedom – publicly-funded TV becoming a government mouthpiece – as well as acrimonious wrangling with Brussels on issues from judicial reform to migration.

That is why many Poles are now hailing the election on 15 October as the most important since 1989, when Solidarity candidates swept the board in the first partially-free vote since communist rule.

Freedom City The story of Poland’s struggle for freedom dominates the northern port city of Gdansk.

There is a Solidarity museum in the shipyard once occupied by strikers and billboards through the city centre that recount the momentous changes brought by their protest, led by an electrician named Lech Walesa.

This year, his son is running for re-election.

“We have to make sure we win, to reform all that has been destroyed in eight years,” Jaroslaw Walesa explained, referring to the two terms PiS have held office so far.Representing the opposition Civil Coalition, like fellow Gdansk-native and party leader Donald Tusk, he is most worried by Poland’s increasingly antagonistic relations with the EU.

Like Brussels, he is also concerned about the politicisation of Polish courts.

“If you look at what has been done to our democracy, we took a huge step backwards. That’s definitely not what my father fought for,” Mr Walesa told the BBC this week, wandering the paths of the handsome Oliwki park, greeting voters with leaflets and a promise of change.

The 1989 slogan – Don’t sleep, or they’ll outvote you! – has been resurrected in Gdansk for this election, all part of pitching it as another critical moment for Polish democracy.

The city is expected to vote solidly for the opposition, as usual.

But opinion polls put the governing Law and Justice Party ahead nationwide, although probably without a big enough majority to form a government.

So the last-minute battle for votes is intense.

PiS and Security In the town of Elblag, a short drive from Gdansk, campaigners spent Saturday canvassing for the governing party at a food market.

Between piles of potatoes and giant pumpkins, they dished out bags printed with the PiS logo and leaflets promoting the city’s main candidate, who didn’t show up.

“PiS have a good programme for us young people and for my children. I have twins and they’ve got a good programme for our future,” party activist Monica explained, referring to the 500 zloty (£95) monthly child benefit the government now pays.

It is set to rise to 800 next year if PiS win.

“In Poland, this amount can solve many things,” her husband added.Neither accepted the opposition’s fears for the future of democracy in Poland. “Democracy is good for us,” Monica said – and she wants to stay in the EU.

The pair both talked about security, including the government’s slogan that it is “protecting the future of Poles”.

“We’re not ready to accept immigrants. Muslims,” Monica clarified, adding that Poland had already taken in “a lot of Ukrainians”, meaning those who came in 2022 as refugees.

The Russian exclave of Kaliningrad is nearby and there is a new barbed-wire fence along its entire length.

The activists’ pro-government message was not universally welcomed by marketgoers, even though the Elblag regional vote was strongly pro-PiS at the last election.

Several shoppers thrust the free bags back when they realised which party logo was printed on them. Others retorted that PiS had been so good for Poland that their children had moved abroad for better opportunities.

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