European Council, Donald Tusk wants a second term

European Council President Donald Tusk told EU leaders on Friday that he is willing to serve a second term as president after the current mandate expires at the end of May.




Chairing the meeting of leaders is one of the most influential tasks of the European Union and, if re-elected, Tusk will have a key role in negotiations "Brexit" -in once to activate UK divorce clause, becoming state the first to leave the EU.

"After speaking with many leaders who expressed their support, I informed him that I am ready to continue my work. But this will depend on the decision of all the heads of states and governments, "Tusk told reporters, former prime minister of Poland, after the summit of 28 EU leaders in Malta.

EU leaders may decide if the new leader by voting unanimously, also with a majority rejecting the veto of any state.

Malta, which currently holds the six-month presidency of the EU, will hold consultations whether to extend the mandate Tusk's favor, a decision expected to be taken no later than the beginning of March.

So far, the only country that openly opposes a second term for Tusk politician of the center, a 30-month mandate, it is the birthplace of Poland, which is already governed by the nationalist party of his sworn rival, Jarosław Kaczynski.

Tusk, 59, has pro-European views and a good relationship with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, leader of the most powerful EU.

EU officials say that, if discussed on an alternative candidate to Tusk's favor, it would add more divisions within the bloc, while the latter faces a series of challenges, beginning with a Russia more aggressive and end to Islamic militancy.

The head of a leftist faction in the European Parliament, however, said its lawmakers would try to overthrow Tusk's favor and decide to head the Council of Europe a center-left politician.

Meanwhile in Poland, Kaczynski said that Tusk is a "problem" and that they will not have to enjoy the support of Warsaw. Tusk has served as prime minister of Poland in the years 2007-2014. Civic Platform was defeated by his Eurosceptic Kaczynski, the party of "Law and Justice" in October of 2015.