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New Polish gov't sworn in

15.11.2019 15:10
Most government ministers kept their jobs as Poland’s new Cabinet led by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was sworn into office on Friday afternoon.
Prezydent Andrzej Duda i premier Mateusz Morawiecki
Prezydent Andrzej Duda i premier Mateusz MorawieckiPhoto: PAP/Radek Pietruszka

Morawiecki and his ministers took their oaths before President Andrzej Duda in a ceremony at the presidential palace in Warsaw following parliamentary elections last month.

Morawiecki, who led Poland’s previous conservative government from December 11, 2017 until earlier this week, was reappointed after being earlier named as prime minister-designate.

His new Cabinet includes most of his previous ministers, except five who have left the government.

Morawiecki said last Friday that his new government would largely be a continuation of the previous one.

Four new faces have joined the Cabinet, among them Tadeusz Kościński, who has taken over as finance minister.

Previously a deputy minister, he replaced Jerzy Kwieciński, who has left the government.

Poland's newly appointed Finance Minister Tadeusz Kościński during the ceremony at the presidential palace on Friday. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka Poland's newly appointed Finance Minister Tadeusz Kościński during the ceremony at the presidential palace on Friday. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka

Meanwhile, Marlena Maląg has taken over as family, labour and social policy minister, and Jadwiga Emilewicz became development minister. Emilewicz previously headed the enterprise and technology ministry. 

Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz has retained his brief. But, in a key change, a separate European affairs department, headed by Konrad Szymański, will now operate as part of the Prime Minister’s Office.

President Andrzej Duda (left) reappoints Jacek Czaputowicz (right) as Poland's foreign minister. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka President Andrzej Duda (left) reappoints Jacek Czaputowicz (right) as Poland's foreign minister. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka

In another change, a new climate ministry, headed by Michał Kurtyka, has been set up, separate from the environment ministry.

Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak has been appointed minister in charge of EU fund management and regional policy.

Jacek Sasin will head the new Ministry of State Assets while also retaining his brief as a deputy prime minister.

President Andrzej Duda (left) and the newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and State Assets Minister Jacek Sasin (right) during the swearing-in ceremony in Warsaw on Friday. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka President Andrzej Duda (left) and the newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and State Assets Minister Jacek Sasin (right) during the swearing-in ceremony in Warsaw on Friday. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka

In all, the new government includes 20 ministries, Poland's PAP news agency reported.

President Andrzej Duda (fourth right) and members of Poland's new-look conservative Cabinet. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka President Andrzej Duda (fourth right) and members of Poland's new-look conservative Cabinet. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka

Directly after the swearing-in ceremony at the presidential palace, the new Cabinet was expected to hold its first meeting later on Friday.

The new Cabinet is likely to 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.

Morawiecki is expected to deliver a policy speech in parliament, outlining his government's priorities, on Tuesday, November 19.

Click here for more information and photos.

(gs/pk)

Source: TVP Info, IAR, PAP