After helping to secure strong results for opposition parties in Poland’s most recent election, former Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk looks highly likely to return to his country’s top job.

Best known in the UK as a former President of the European Council, Donald Tusk is a political survivor, forged in the struggle and resistance against communist-era Poland in the 1980s, but who then went on to scale political heights at home and abroad again and again. So how did this son of Gdansk and self-confessed former football hooligan become one of Europe’s most enduring politicians?

Paul Connolly speaks to those who watched his ascent first hand.

Presenter: Paul Connolly Producer: Natasha Fernandes Assistant Producer: Nathan Gower Editor: Richard Vadon Sound Engineer: James Beard

Archive:

Speech by Donald Tusk as President of the European Council, 14th October 2016 Interview with Donald Tusk on the website of the European Council Speech by Donald Tusk as President of the European Council, 6th February 2019