Sources indicate that Mateusz Morawiecki, former conservative prime minister of Poland, is likely to be appointed as the chairman of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) in the European Parliament.
According to press reports, Morawiecki is tipped to soon replace Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as leader of the center-right group. However, this position might not grant him significant power within the European Parliament faction due to a recent change in the party’s statutes, which now adhere to Belgian law.
Under the new statutes, the primary power within the party lies with the secretary general. “Friends from sunny Italy suggest that this position will always be held by an Italian,” dorzeczy.pl news outlet reports.
Meanwhile, the Polish edition of Newsweek reported that other Polish politicians from the Law and Justice (PiS) party are also destined to receive prominent roles within the faction. Joachim Brudziński is expected to be a co-chair, while Kosma Złotowski could become the co-treasurer. The publication also cited an anonymous PiS politician who noted that “Morawiecki’s position has been negotiated, but we shall see if the Italians keep their word or if further negotiations will ensue.”
Furthermore, Newsweek highlighted that Morawiecki’s career is mirroring that of Tusk, who previously led another major European faction, the European People’s Party. Tusk held this role from 2019 to 2022, succeeding Joseph Daul of France, and was later replaced by Manfred Weber of Germany.