Although the opposition won the election, President Duda – as announced – instructed Prime Minister Morawiecki to form a new government. But his mission is likely to be doomed to failure.
A good four weeks after the victory of a three-party opposition alliance in the parliamentary elections in Poland, the change of government is making slow progress. As announced, President Andrzej Duda awarded the task of forming a new government to the previous Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki from the national conservative PiS.
Since Morawiecki will not get a majority in parliament, his mission is likely to fail. It could take several weeks until a new government is formed. The new parliament had previously met for its constituent session on Monday. Morawiecki’s incumbent government resigned.
Majority for opposition parties
In the election on October 15, three opposition parties led by former EU Council President Donald Tusk won a clear majority in the Sejm, the lower house of parliament. Tusk’s liberal-conservative Citizens’ Coalition (KO), together with the Third Way and the left-wing alliance Lewica, has 248 of the total 460 seats. The three parties have now signed a coalition agreement.
The previous national-conservative ruling party PiS became the strongest force in parliament in the election with 194 seats, but fell far short of an absolute majority and does not have a coalition partner.
Marowiecki is missing coalition partner
The upcoming change of government in Warsaw is also likely to bring about a change in Polish foreign policy. The PiS was in constant dispute with Brussels over judicial reform. The relationship with Berlin was also at a low point because of demands for world war reparations amounting to 1.3 trillion euros. The three opposition parties stand for a pro-European course and a more conciliatory policy towards Germany. The 66-year-old Tusk was Poland’s head of government from 2007 to 2014. It could be some time before he can take on this position again.
According to the constitution, Morawiecki, appointed by Duda, has 14 days to put his cabinet to a vote in parliament. This plan will most likely bring him a crushing defeat. Because apart from the PiS MPs, no other faction, not even the ultra-right Konfederacja, wants to vote for him.
Duda could make life difficult for the new government
Morawiecki said in a speech to parliament that he wanted a government that bridged the divides between the parties. When he sought support for the plan, he was met with laughter from opposition MPs. Duda, who is close to the PiS, also received laughter when he said that the constitutional order must be preserved. “I will not agree to any circumvention or bending of the law,” Duda said.
In recent years, the PiS has repeatedly been accused of undermining the rule of law in Poland. At the same time, Duda made it clear that he could make life difficult for a new government that does not include the PiS. He said he wanted to use his right to veto on controversial decisions. Duda’s term of office lasts another year and a half.