Donald Tusk confirmed as European Council president for another term
The prime minister of his home country tried to scupper his bid for another term, but Mr Tusk gets near-unanimous backing.
Thursday 9 March 2017 17:59, UK
EU leaders have confirmed Donald Tusk for another term as European Council president, despite attempts by his home nation to block him.
Of the 28 EU nations, only Poland voted against Mr Tusk, according to a tweet by the Czech prime minister.
Poland's right-wing prime minister, Beata Szydlo, had written to Theresa May and other European leaders, urging them to oust Mr Tusk during the vote - which came on the first day of an EU leaders' summit in Brussels.
Ms Szydlo has accused her predecessor of interfering in domestic politics through his support for Poland's centrist opposition party.
Mr Tusk served as the country's PM from 2007 to 2014.
The Pole, whose initial term expires at the end of May, will play a key role in the Brexit negotiations and will now stay in the job until November 2019.
After being confirmed as president, he tweeted: "Grateful for trust & positive assessment by #EUCO (European Council). I will do my best to make the EU better."
The row between Mr Tusk and Ms Szydlo's Law and Justice Party had led to Warsaw proposing a challenger - Polish MEP Jacek Saryusz-Wolski.
After the vote, the party said the reappointment meant the EU "will no longer be a union of unity".
Theresa May did not reveal her voting intentions beforehand, but her spokesman said she believed Mr Tusk was "doing a good job".
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also strongly supported Mr Tusk, saying his re-election would be "a sign of stability for the entire European Union".
The European Council is made up of the heads of state of EU countries and decides the priorities and overall political direction of the European Union.
The president's role is a high-profile one, driving forward its work and chairing leaders' meetings, as well as representing the EU on the world stage.
Mrs May is attending her final Council summit before the triggering of Article 50 - expected before the end of the month - to formally begin Brexit negotiations.