EU Political Update: Poland takes over EU Council Presidency

Since January 1, 2025, Poland has held the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, succeeding Hungary until June 30, 2025, with the aim of ensuring the continuity of the EU’s work at the Council. This is the first of a trio of presidencies that will see Denmark (July to December 2025) and Cyprus (January to June 2026) take over from Poland. The Polish presidency coincides with the beginning of the institutional cycle marked by the renewal of the European Parliament in June 2024, and the entry into office of the new European Commission on December 1. This calendar provides Poland an opportunity to set goals and orientations for the next five years.

The Polish work program, presented on December 10 by the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, is built around seven key priorities and a clear slogan: “Security, Europe!”. Seven areas have been identified by the Polish government: Defense and security; Protection of people and borders; Resistance to foreign interference and disinformation; Security and freedom of enterprise; Energy transition; Competitive and resilient agriculture; Health safety.

Poland wants to get involved in the fight against irregular immigration, a subject that now dominates European politics. Last October, Warsaw received authorization from the European Commission to temporarily limit the right to asylum in the event of Russia and Belarus exploiting migratory waves. The government is now awaiting the European Commission’s legislative proposal, due in March, to facilitate expulsions.

A staunch supporter of Ukraine, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and former President of the European Council (2014-2019) also intends to ask his European partners to continue defending the country and developing the European defense industry, notably through joint indebtedness, as was the case during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Preserving the transatlantic relationship between the Union and the USA will be at the heart of Tusk’s task. On January 22, the head of the Polish government will be at the European Parliament to develop and discuss the priorities of his country’s presidency of the EU Council with MEPs and his intentions towards Donald Trump.