Tusk to stay on as Polish PM as country welcomes first transsexual and gay MPs

Tusk to stay on as Polish PM as country welcomes first transsexual and gay MPs

2011-11-09 23:53:27 GMT+7 (ICT)

WARSAW, POLAND (BNO NEWS) -- Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski has re-designated Donald Tusk as prime minister while the country welcomes its first transsexual and gay Members of Parliament (MPs).

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso congratulated Tusk on his re-designation, noting that October's general elections showed for the first time since 1989 an overwhelming support to keep a prime minister.

"The new mandate shows Polish people have appreciated your leadership and trust your ability to steer Poland through the challenges which your country and Europe are facing," Barroso said. "Consolidating public finances, boosting growth, cooperating with our neighbours, shaping social policy and, last but not least, rebuilding confidence in the European project - these are the challenges which Member States and European Institutions have to face in unison."

Meanwhile, 57-year-old Anna Grodzka, who was born as Krzysztof Begowski, is forming part of the newly formed liberal, anti-clerical Palikot's Movement party and, through proportional representation, gained her seat in the southern city of Krakow, located in the Lesser Poland region.

Grodzka's political success has gained international media attention after Krzysztof Begowski underwent a full sex change last year, becoming the country's first transsexual Member of Parliament.

In addition, Robert Biedron is becoming the country's first openly gay Member of Parliament. He is also a member of the Palikot's Movement party, which unexpectedly won 10 percent of the votes during the October 9 elections.

As EU Member States and European Institutions currently face several challenges, Barroso described Poland as a "crucial element" of the European Union. "Poland has established itself as a confident and trustworthy member of the European family and a crucial element of the European project, bringing in its unique enthusiasm for Europe which in many parts is missing nowadays," he said.

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