In the European Parliament, Saryusz-Wolski is a member of the European People’s Party (EPP), which he served as Vice Chair until November 2016. The leadership of Poland’s ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party instructed Prime Minister Beata Szydło’s government to withhold support for Tusk’s reelection. With all EU members except Poland supporting Tusk, denying him a second term would require an extraordinary justification. Tusk, who defeated the PiS in eight consecutive elections over the course of his career, was Prime Minister at the time. He has never been Prime Minister, President, or even a European Commissioner.

Source: Sunday Times March 07, 2017 08:04 UTC