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UPDATE: Outgoing Polish PM tapped to form new gov’t

14.11.2019 13:15
Poland’s outgoing prime minister has been tapped to form a new government after the country’s ruling conservatives secured a second term in power in parliamentary elections last month.
President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister-designate Mateusz Morawiecki at the presidential palace in Warsaw on Thursday.
President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister-designate Mateusz Morawiecki at the presidential palace in Warsaw on Thursday.Photo: PAP/Marcin Obara

Polish President Andrzej Duda on Thursday named Mateusz Morawiecki as prime minister-designate, tasking him with forming a new Cabinet.

Morawiecki, whose previous stint as head of government began in December 2017, said during the ceremony: “I would like to thank the president very much for his confidence as we continue our mission to improve the standard of living of the Polish people.”

He vowed to make every effort as prime minister over the next four years to ensure the country takes a significant "stride in development" and narrows the gap separating it from wealthier European economies.

Prime Minister-designate Mateusz Morawiecki speaks during the ceremony at the presidential palace in Warsaw on Thursday. Photo: PAP/Marcin Obara Prime Minister-designate Mateusz Morawiecki speaks during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Warsaw on Thursday. Photo: PAP/Marcin Obara

Thursday’s ceremony at the presidential palace came after Duda on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Morawiecki and his Cabinet ministers in line with constitutional rules in a step designed to make way for a new government.

At the same time, Duda entrusted Morawiecki with continuing in his duties until a new government is formed, state news agency PAP reported.

Earlier that day, Morawiecki submitted the resignation of his Cabinet at the first session of the country’s new parliament.

Morawiecki last week unveiled the lineup of his new Cabinet, which is expected to be sworn in by the president and receive a vote of confidence in parliament where the ruling conservatives have a comfortable majority.

Morawiecki's governing conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, allied with two smaller groupings in a United Right coalition, won Poland's October 13 parliamentary election and secured a second term in power.

According to the PAP news agency, the president is likely to swear in Morawiecki’s new Cabinet on Friday.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, November 19, Morawiecki is expected to deliver a policy speech in parliament, outlining his government's priorities, the PAP news agency reported, citing sources it did not name.

(gs/pk)

Source: TVP Info, IAR, PAP