Miller on Tusk, Hołownia and Pełczyńska-Nałęcz: 'The prime minister cannot be sloppy'

In brief

• Leszek Miller ocenił Donalda Tuska jako zwycięzcę ostatnich tygodni politycznych, mimo wewnętrznych napięć w rządzie.
• Miller wskazał, że Tusk mógłby zaprosić Mateusza Morawieckiego do rządu po 2027 roku, jeśli to konieczne dla większości parlamentarnej.
• Były premier krytykował bezwarunkowe transfery pieniędzy, odrzucając wprowadzenie programu 800 plus.
• W kontekście wyborów 2015 roku, Miller wspiera kandydaturę Magdaleny Ogórek, pomimo oporu w partii.

Departure of a minister

Miller said the minister had in effect withdrawn from the cabinet, and he summed up the episode with a Polish saying about the cart and the horses ("Premier nie może być rozmemłany". Miller o Tusku, Hołowni i Pełczyńskiej-Nałęcz – Wirtualna Polska).

Tusk as the winner

Assessing the last seven days of Polish politics, Miller named Donald Tusk as the clear winner. In his view, the prime minister kept the top position despite objections within the camp. Miller believes a head of government cannot appear disorganised, and Tusk avoided that impression.

Dispute with Hołownia

The former prime minister commented on the recurring disputes between Tusk and Szymon Hołownia, leader of Polska 2050. Miller said these conflicts have not changed the overall balance of power in the coalition.

Possible Morawiecki option after 2027

Asked about bringing Mateusz Morawiecki into the government after the 2027 parliamentary elections, Miller first said he does not see such an alliance at first glance. He added, however, that Tusk could invite Morawiecki if his MPs were needed to secure a majority. Miller argued that the biggest threat to Tusk and his formation is the return of Jarosław Kaczyński to power (Morawiecki w rządzie Tuska? Miller: Nadaje się – Wirtualna Polska). He also noted that Morawiecki's experience representing Poland at European Union meetings could make him acceptable to Tusk.

Miller on 800 plus

Miller opposed unconditional payouts. He said that as prime minister today he would not introduce the 800 plus programme, calling unlimited payments a serious mistake (Miller krytycznie o 800 plus. "Jestem przeciw rozdawaniu pieniędzy" – Wirtualna Polska).

Context from the 2015 campaign

The conversation also touched on Miller's role in the 2015 presidential election, when he backed Magdalena Ogórek as the SLD candidate. Miller disclosed that no other politician agreed to the nomination except Ryszard Kalisz, and that his proposal met strong resistance in the party's National Council (Kulisy nominacji Ogórek. Miller ujawnił, dlaczego to zrobił – Wirtualna Polska).