On the 12th anniversary of Donald Tusk’s government, Deutsche Welle reporters staged a photo‑hunt on Berlin streets, asking Germans to identify the Polish prime minister.
Interview Results
Reporters presented a picture of Donald Tusk to passersby in Berlin. The first respondent nodded and said, “Donald Tusk.” The next declared, “Is he the German Chancellor? No? I have no idea.”
Another speaker offered, “I don’t know him. The photo says nothing to me.”
Varied Reactions
A passerby responded to Tusk’s image with, “Potato nose, Germans.” One man confused Tusk with Donald Trump, asking, “Donald, right? Donald Trump.”
Others mixed admiration with criticism. One remarked that Tusk now seemed “more right‑wing” based on stereotypes, “He doesn’t look very likable, but I really don’t know.” Another expressed sympathy for Tusk as “an antidote to the Polish right‑wing scene,” while a different individual blamed him for “now pushing for LGBT bans in Poland.”
Context: Tusk’s Coalition Government
On December 13, the coalition of the Civic Coalition, Pol 2050, the Polish People’s Party, and the New Left took power in Poland after eight years of the United Right. This anniversary marks the second year under Tusk’s administration.
Tusk’s Anniversary Message
On social media, Donald Tusk posted: “Two years have passed. Good, although very difficult. I take full responsibility for them. I am proud of them, but I know Poland deserves even more. I believe the Poles can do it. We will again surprise the whole world.”
