Polish PM favourite for key EU policy job

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has emerged as clear favourite for the key post of president of the European Council when EU leaders meet for a special summit tomorrow, several sources familiar with the selection process said.

If confirmed, his appointment to chair and steer policymaking meetings of EU leaders, would be a victory for the 10 ex-communist central and eastern European countries that joined the European Union a decade ago. It would also consecrate Poland’s rise as a major player in the 28-nation bloc alongside EU founders France and Germany.

The pro-European, centre-right Tusk, 57, has not acknowledged in public that he is a contender.