Donald Tusk established the Council of the Future on February 10, aiming to make Poland a leader in key economic and technological areas.
Council Formation and Goals
Donald Tusk announced on Tuesday, February 10, the establishment of the Council of the Future. During a press conference, the politician explained that Poland’s future “requires acceleration in terms of economy, business, science, flexibility and modernity.” The goal of the new body is to “make Poland a leader in key areas.” “Thanks to this, our country can not only be ambitious, modern and competitive, but also secure,” it was emphasized on the website of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister (KPRM). The council includes scientists, business representatives and experts in areas such as artificial intelligence, space technologies, biotechnology, financial technologies and dual-use applications.
Photo Sparks Gender Discussion
KPRM shared on social media a photo from the conference announcing the new council. It shows 17 people, including Donald Tusk and Finance Minister Andrzej Domański, who will head the body’s work. “This is a group of people who can design the future,” commented government spokesman Adam Szłapka on the photograph. Among the gathered are only two women, to which attention was drawn, among others, by technology journalist Sylwia Czubkowska.
“No, the future is not female. But somehow no surprise. Fortunately, in this council there are several people who are very worth listening to and making the most of their cold judgment, headed by Dominik Batorski,” she commented. According to information provided by KPRM, three women will sit in the Council of the Future: co-founder of the venture capital fund Vastpoint Aleksandra Pędraszewska, Marta Winiarska from the Polish Association of Innovative Medical Biotechnology Companies BioInMed, and Aleksandra Przegalińska, an expert in artificial intelligence and Vice-Rector for Innovation at the Leon Koźmiński Academy in Warsaw.
Coalition Agreement Gender Concerns
Similar comments appeared shortly after the coalition agreement was signed by the Civic Coalition, Third Way and New Left in November 2023. The event was attended by Donald Tusk, Szymon Hołownia, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Włodzimierz Czarzasty and Robert Biedroń. Commentators, including Agata Kalińska from Gazeta.pl, pointed out that the role of women during the ceremony was limited to “handling important briefcases.”
“Really, gentlemen? – I’m addressing the five leaders here. Really don’t you see the inconsistency? Just a month ago, at the March of a Million Hearts in Warsaw, you were shouting from the stage: ‘girls, go to the polls!’. You talked about women’s rights in the campaign. Donald Tusk said that ‘women’s rights are the essence of the program’ of the Civic Coalition. ‘You will never be alone again’ – he said. For now, there is no basis to accuse him of lying. We have, however, a symbol. Five male leaders and a woman bustling around in an administrative-office role,” wrote our journalist.
Council Members
In addition to Pędraszewska, Winiarska and Przegalińska, the council will include: