WARSAW, Poland (NEWSnet/AP) — Donald Tusk, a leader of a centrist party, returned as Poland’s prime minister after a vote in parliament on Monday.

It paves the way for a new pro-European Union government following eight years of national conservative rule.

Tusk, a former EU leader who served as European Council president 2014-2019 and has strong connections in Brussels, is expected to improve Warsaw’s standing in the bloc’s capital. He was Poland’s prime minister 2007-14.

The vote was 248-201 in support of Tusk in the 460-seat lower house of parliament, Sejm, with no abstentions.

“Thank you Poland, this is truly a wonderful day,” Tusk said in a short speech. “Not only for me, but for all those who throughout these many years deeply believed ... that things would get better.”

Tusk is scheduled to give a more substantial speech to parliament, present his Cabinet and face a vote of confidence for his new government.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki lost a confidence vote in parliament.

Tusk’s ascensioncame nearly two months after an election won by a coalition of parties. The parties ran on separate tickets, but promised to work together under Tusk’s leadership to restore democratic standards and improve relationships with allies.

The change of power is felt as hugely consequential for the 38 million citizens of the Central European nation, where collective anger against the Law and Justice party produced a record-high turnout.

Law and Justice, which took office in 2015, increased its power over courts and judicial bodies, drawing accusations from EU and others that it was eroding judicial independence. It also turned taxpayer funded public media into a party mouthpiece.

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