Poland's parliament has backed Donald Tusk to be the country's new prime minister, in a move that paves the way for better ties with the European Union. With votes of 248 lawmakers in favour as opposed to 201 against, Tusk will now address the parliament to lay out his government's plans and then face a vote of confidence.

Poland's parliament backs Donald Tusk to be next prime minister

<p>As Poland's pro-EU parties prepare to assume power, Szymon Holownia, a former TV personality-turned-parliament speaker, has emerged as a captivating figure who has captured European nation's mood.</p>

<p>Holownia, a former TV personality turned parliament speaker, has quickly become a social media sensation, injecting humour and wit into the typically serious atmosphere of political discourse.</p>

<h2><strong>Who is Szymon Holownia and what makes him popular?</strong></h2>

<p>Holownia, 47, known for hosting the Polish edition of 'Got Talent' before venturing into politics four years ago, now chairs plenary sessions after winning elections in&nbsp;October.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Poland Elections: Polish ruling Law and Justice party on the brink of losing power</strong></p>

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<p>Holownia's&nbsp;quips and his clever comebacks have not only entertained but have drawn the spotlight on&nbsp;him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Ladies and gentlemen, stock up on popcorn... because I suspect there will be a lot of action," Holownia remarked during one of his now almost daily press conferences, setting the tone for his engaging approach to parliamentary affairs.</p>

<h2><strong>The Jay-Z Polish speaker</strong></h2>

<p>Holownia's ability to infuse humour into political debates has led to viral moments, including a correction to a conservative lawmaker who mistakenly referred to a colleague as "Jay-Z" instead of a member of Gen-Z.</p>

<p>In a matter of weeks since Holownia assumed the role of speaker, the parliament's YouTube channel, streaming debates, has witnessed a staggering increase in followers—from 45,000 to 435,000 subscribed users.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/poland-fumes-over-ukrainian-presidents-volodymyr-zelenskys-un-speech-638068">Poland fumes over Ukrainian president's Volodymyr Zelensky's UN speech</a></strong></p>

<p>The unexpected surge in interest has even prompted a Warsaw cinema, Kinoteka, to organise a screening of Monday's confidence vote for the conservative minority government.</p>

<p>Karolina Fornal, a spokesperson for Kinoteka, told Paris-based news agency AFP&nbsp;that the cinema had received an overwhelming response, with over 1,500 requests for the 500 available seats.</p>

<p>Holownia, seizing the opportunity, has launched a behind-the-scenes podcast offering insights into parliamentary life.</p>

<p>The first episode has already garnered nearly a million downloads.</p>

<h2>Holownia has his critics too</h2>

<p>Not everyone is impressed with Holownia's flashy style.</p>

<p>Conservative Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki criticised him, stating, "Instead of real work, we have the popcorn, a show, and circuses. Is this what politics is about?"</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


As Poland's pro-EU parties prepare to assume power, Szymon Holownia, a former TV personality-turned-parliament speaker, has emerged as a captivating figure who has captured European nation's mood.

As Poland's pro-EU parties prepare to assume power, Szymon Holownia, a former TV personality-turned-parliament speaker, has emerged as a captivating figure who has captured European nation's mood. Holownia, a former TV personality turned parliament speaker, has quickly become a social media sensation, injecting humour and wit into the typically serious atmosphere of political discourse. Who is Szymon Holownia and what makes him popular? Holownia, 47, known for hosting the Polish edition of 'Got Talent' before venturing into politics four years ago, now chairs plenary sessions after winning elections in October. Also watch | Poland Elections: Polish ruling Law and Justice party on the brink of losing power × Holownia's quips and his clever comebacks have not only entertained but have drawn the spotlight on him. "Ladies and gentlemen, stock up on popcorn... because I suspect there will be a lot of action," Holownia remarked during one of his now almost daily press conferences, setting the tone for his engaging approach to parliamentary affairs. The Jay-Z Polish speaker Holownia's ability to infuse humour into political debates has led to viral moments, including a correction to a conservative lawmaker who mistakenly referred to a colleague as "Jay-Z" instead of a member of Gen-Z. In a matter of weeks since Holownia assumed the role of speaker, the parliament's YouTube channel, streaming debates, has witnessed a staggering increase in followers—from 45,000 to 435,000 subscribed users. Also read | Poland fumes over Ukrainian president's Volodymyr Zelensky's UN speech The unexpected surge in interest has even prompted a Warsaw cinema, Kinoteka, to organise a screening of Monday's confidence vote for the conservative minority government. Karolina Fornal, a spokesperson for Kinoteka, told Paris-based news agency AFP that the cinema had received an overwhelming response, with over 1,500 requests for the 500 available seats. Holownia, seizing the opportunity, has launched a behind-the-scenes podcast offering insights into parliamentary life. The first episode has already garnered nearly a million downloads. Holownia has his critics too Not everyone is impressed with Holownia's flashy style. Conservative Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki criticised him, stating, "Instead of real work, we have the popcorn, a show, and circuses. Is this what politics is about?" (With inputs from agencies)

Meet Szymon Holownia, the politician who brought Poland's parliament to cinemas

<p>&nbsp;The Polish opposition secured the post of Senate speaker in a parliamentary vote on Tuesday seen as a test of its ability to retain control of the upper house after winning it in an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/polands-ruling-nationalists-win-majority-in-parliament-255794">October&nbsp;13 general election</a>.</p>

<p>The loss of the Senate was a blow to the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party because that could delay some of its legislative ambitions. These include further changes to the justice system, which have concerned the European Union.</p>

<p>Since the election, Polish media have reported that PiS had made overtures to opposition senators in an attempt to establish a working majority.</p>

<p>In Tuesday's vote for speaker, the opposition candidate, centrist Civic Platform's (PO) senator Tomasz Grodzki, a 61-year-old surgeon, won 51 votes, while the PiS' candidate Stanislaw Karczewski received 48 votes in the 100-member Senate. One lawmaker refrained from voting.</p>

<p>"This is a victory of democracy," Grodzki told the Senate.</p>

<p>During its first term in power PiS, accused by the EU of subverting the rule of law, gained a reputation for pushing through bills at breakneck speed, with hastily called late-night lower house sittings followed by quick approval from the Senate.</p>

<p>"Taking over the Senate means very severe strengthening of the opposition. For the PiS every vote lost in the Senate is an image loss," said Warsaw University sociologist Jacek Haman.</p>


The Polish opposition secured the post of Senate speaker in a parliamentary vote on Tuesday seen as a test of its ability to retain control of the upper house after winning it in an October 13 general election.

The Polish opposition secured the post of Senate speaker in a parliamentary vote on Tuesday seen as a test of its ability to retain control of the upper house after winning it in an October 13 general election. The loss of the Senate was a blow to the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party because that could delay some of its legislative ambitions. These include further changes to the justice system, which have concerned the European Union. Since the election, Polish media have reported that PiS had made overtures to opposition senators in an attempt to establish a working majority. In Tuesday's vote for speaker, the opposition candidate, centrist Civic Platform's (PO) senator Tomasz Grodzki, a 61-year-old surgeon, won 51 votes, while the PiS' candidate Stanislaw Karczewski received 48 votes in the 100-member Senate. One lawmaker refrained from voting. "This is a victory of democracy," Grodzki told the Senate. During its first term in power PiS, accused by the EU of subverting the rule of law, gained a reputation for pushing through bills at breakneck speed, with hastily called late-night lower house sittings followed by quick approval from the Senate. "Taking over the Senate means very severe strengthening of the opposition. For the PiS every vote lost in the Senate is an image loss," said Warsaw University sociologist Jacek Haman.

Poland's opposition wins speaker seat in upper house of parliament