After left-liberal candidate Rafał Trzaskowski—vice chair of PM Donald Tusk’s Civic Platform party—lost the Polish presidential election, the prime minister has begun resorting to questionable and desperate tactics to strike back at the opposition.

The victory of Karol Nawrocki, the candidate backed by conservative Law and Justice (PiS), has inevitably raised questions about Tusk’s ability to continue leading the government. Some within his coalition are questioning whether he has become a liability. Rumors suggest that influential Polish MEPs from the European People’s Party (EPP) are pressuring EPP chairman Manfred Weber to consider replacing Tusk if the faction hopes to maintain its influence in Poland. Meanwhile, speculation within Poland points to Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski as a potential successor to Tusk.

Senate Deputy Speaker Michał Kamiński (Polish People’s Party PSL) delivered one of the harshest criticisms, stating in a televised interview: “Nothing has happened that would require the coalition to disband, but everything has happened that should lead to Donald Tusk stepping down as its leader.”

Within the coalition, frustrations toward Tusk escalated when, just before the second round of voting, he actively participated in a smear campaign against Karol Nawrocki. Tusk relied on statements made by Jacek Murański—a controversial figure known for online misconduct, fabrications, and criminal convictions. This move backfired, adding to mounting criticism against the government for inaction and declining living standards.