- Donald Tusk said that lying has become a permanent political tool in both the United States and many EU countries, but – as he said – it is possible to “get back to the facts”.
- He says that during Biden’s presidency, “a lot of wind out of our sails” will lose everyone who has contributed to the weakening of the European community.
- – The EU does not connect individual countries and nations with chains, but with delicate threads, which require constant care and attention – assessed Tusk
- More such information can be found on the main page of Onet.pl
Tusk – former head of the European Council and now president of the European People’s Party – took part in an online debate at Jagiellonian University on Friday called “Democracy or Authoritarianism? After the US Elections”.
In his speech, Tusk said that in both the United States and many EU countries, lying has become a permanent political tool, but – as he said – it is possible to “get back to the facts”. The former prime minister expressed his belief that US President-elect Joe Biden would be determined to do so. “This will be a serious problem for populists and professional liars, both right and left and in the US, but more generally I think we will see this positive change in Europe,” he added.
– I have no doubt that in the case of the new team (US ruling) the issue of the rule of law and democratic norms will be absolutely crucial. This will also have a very tangible impact on US-Europe relations, as well as the condition of democracy in Europe itself, Tusk ruled.
The rest of the text is below the video
Tusk: It would be good if they had major problems in this matter
In his view, during Biden’s presidency, “a lot of wind will be lost” for all who contributed to the weakening of the European community. The former prime minister recalled that US President Donald Trump kept his fingers crossed, both for Brexit and subsequent forays from the EU. – Certainly – and this is also a very important message for Poland – all those who plan or cause a weakening of European integration will be clearly weaker. They will have a lot of trouble with the new government and with President Biden – said the politician.
– Should we be happy with it? I think so, even if it could cause problems for the ruling politicians, including in Poland. Yes, it would be good if they had serious problems in this matter, ”he added.
Tusk agreed with German philosopher Jürgen Habermas’s thesis that the pandemic and changes in the US government would revive the idea of stronger integration within the EU. – The question mark that appears here – and this is a very painful question mark for us Poles – is that for the first time there are such strong signals that stronger integration may be the integration of less than the current community. For various reasons, all of which we know well and for reasons that – unfortunately – are also the result of the actions of the PiS government or (Prime Minister Viktor) Orban in Hungary – the former Prime Minister said.
– Will Poland find its place in this Europe that integrates with the new power? Will Poland find its place in the world where the United States will once again seek understanding and – in my opinion – the revitalization of the Atlantic community as well? It depends on the Poles – said Tusk.
“We have to solve this dilemma alone”
According to Tusk, Biden’s criticism of what is happening in some European countries – Belarus, Hungary and Poland – has many justifications. – Therefore, the question of our future is, in a sense, whether or not to be for Europe and Poland, so that they regain their faith, determination and strength, all these movements, these trends, these political camps looking for new solutions in the post-pandemic world, looking for ways to destroy security without destroying the need for identity and connectedness, will simultaneously defend liberal democracy with such determination. We have to solve this dilemma alone, said the former prime minister.
– If we fail to restore this democratic order in Poland, centered on the rule of law, individual liberty and minority rights, this reintegrating transatlantic community will leave us on the sidelines. It will be a long process, which many go unnoticed, but if we fail to achieve a breakthrough in Poland, it may turn out to be an inevitable process – he noted.
He noted that Poland was already in “a forced community, in the Soviet camp”. “We were kept chained in this camp.” But they broke. The EU does not link individual countries and nations with chains, but with delicate threads that require constant care and attention. They can break at any time and are at risk of breaking when those who want to build this community don’t show determination. This was the case with Brexit. I dedicate this to all those in Poland today who ignore the problem of a potential Polexit – stressed Tusk.
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