The new EU presidency

As Donald Tusk becomes the new EU Council president, how much power does the former Polish prime minister really have, or do the leading heads of state still call the shots? Is he, as a Russia critic, there to balance the softer line on Russia by the new EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, and who will prevail?

As the first European Council president from the east, how much will he press the interests of his region, on tackling climate change without damaging their economies heavily dependent on coal?

How will the balance of power play out between the presidents of the EU Council, Commission and Parliament? Until Tusk can “polish” his English, as he says, how much will language be a hindrance, or does it matter?

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