Running scared: Tusk says he has too much ‘baggage’ to stand in presidential elections

Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, announced Tuesday evening he would not participate in Poland’s presidential election next year, ending speculation about his long-term political plans. 

“After careful consideration, I have decided not to stand for president,” Tusk said from Brussels. His decision means that his own party, the Civic Platform, is now able to make a decision on whether to hold primaries to select a candidate.

Tusk said that he took the decision in order to make it easier for the opposition to select its candidates for the presidential election. Despite his decision to not personally risk a run for the presidency, Tusk said he was convinced that the election could be won for the opposition.

Tusk said that the opposition needed a candidate was needed who is not “weighed down by the baggage of past unpopular decisions.”