Click on the player icon above for an audio report by Marcin Matuszewski.
The number of ministers was cut from 26 to 21, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
Among the key changes, Judge Waldemar Żurek was named justice minister, replacing Adam Bodnar, who faced criticism over his handling of legal reforms.
Żurek is expected to accelerate efforts to restore rule-of-law standards that many say were eroded under the previous right-wing government.
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, one of the government's most popular figures, was promoted to deputy prime minister, while retaining his foreign affairs portfolio and taking on additional responsibilities for European affairs and relations with Ukraine.
In a major economic move, Finance Minister Andrzej Domański was given expanded responsibilities as minister for finance and the economy, overseeing all economic departments in Tusk’s centrist, pro-European government.
The reshuffle comes in the wake of June’s presidential runoff election, in which conservative Karol Nawrocki defeated Tusk ally Rafał Trzaskowski.
The result has heightened tensions within the ruling Civic Coalition and raised questions about the coalition's stability under a veto-wielding president.
48% oppose government, 32% support it, survey finds
Tusk’s administration has seen a steady decline in support since mid-2024, the Reuters news agency reported.
According to a recent survey by pollster CBOS, 48 percent of respondents now oppose the government, while support holds at 32 percent.
Among the newly appointed ministers, Miłosz Motyka of the junior coalition partner Polish People’s Party (PSL) will lead a newly established Ministry of Energy, while Wojciech Balczun will serve as minister for state assets.
In other changes, Marcin Kierwiński will take over as interior and administration minister, replacing Tomasz Siemoniak, who becomes minister in charge of the country's security services.
Stefan Krajewski will lead the agriculture ministry to replace Czesław Siekierski, while Jolanta Sobierańska-Grenda was named as the new health minister to succeed Izabela Leszczyna.
Marta Cienkowska, previously a deputy minister, will now head the culture ministry to take over from Hanna Wróblewska.
Further appointments include Maciej Berek as minister for government policy implementation and Jakub Rutnicki as the new sports minister to replace Sławomir Nitras.
'Order, security, and the future'
Unveiling the new Cabinet, Tusk said the reshuffle was guided by principles of "order, security, and the future."
He added that the changes were not cosmetic but aimed at "revitalising the government’s mandate" in the wake of political turbulence.
“There are moments in a country’s history when we must collect ourselves after events that shake the political scene, plant our feet firmly on the ground, set emotions aside, and charge forward with renewed confidence and energy,” Tusk said.
The prime minister said the reshaped government would focus on safeguarding Poland’s military, economic, energy and public health security, the IAR news agency reported.
He also pledge a firm response to internal and external threats, including "influence operations by hostile states."
“We will act decisively against efforts by aggressive actors like Russia and Belarus to spread chaos and sabotage,” he declared.
Tusk framed the shake-up as a symbolic end to the "post-election trauma" and called on supporters to move forward with purpose.
“No defeat—not even in the presidential race—justifies despair or resignation," he said. "That time is over."
Tusk also warned that he would not tolerate political infighting within the ruling coalition.
“No one has political immunity. If someone can’t accept that, they’ll have to leave,” he said, calling instead for unity and focus.
Introducing Sobierańska-Grenda as the new health minister, Tusk said the ministry would be "placed fully in the hands of management professionals."
He added that the priority would be improving care for "patients, not doctors."
The new ministers are scheduled to be sworn in by President Andrzej Duda on Thursday.
The reshaped Cabinet will hold its first meeting on Friday, Tusk said.
Earlier this month, Tusk said his government maintained a "stable majority" despite internal tensions in the wake of the presidential election loss.
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP