Although it does not have a majority, the national conservative PiS can initially form the cabinet in Poland. In Warsaw, President Duda sworn in Prime Minister Morawiecki. But his government is only expected to last the next 14 days.
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda has sworn in the new cabinet of the previous national conservative Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, although his PiS party does not have a governing majority in parliament. He was pleased about the high proportion of women and the many younger members of the cabinet, said Duda at the ceremony in the Warsaw Presidential Palace as he handed over the certificate of appointment to Morawiecki.
The formation of the PiS government is seen as a pure political show. Apart from himself and Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, Morawiecki’s new cabinet does not contain any prominent PiS politicians, but rather many previously unknown faces.
Opposition: Duda wants to prevent political change
Morawiecki now has to submit a vote of confidence in parliament within 14 days. However, he does not have a majority there and is likely to fail. Only then can the former opposition form their government. Polish media mocks the “two-week government” and “Morawiecki’s nativity play.”
In the parliamentary election on October 15th, three pro-European parties from the previous opposition, led by former EU Council President Donald Tusk, won a clear majority. A coalition agreement has already been signed. The division of departments is clearly in place.
But even in view of these parliamentary conditions, President Duda, who himself comes from the ranks of the PiS, commissioned Morawiecki to form a government. Opposition representatives accuse Duda of wanting to prevent the political change for weeks.
Tusk stands for pro-European course
In Brussels and Berlin people are waiting hopefully for the change of government in Warsaw. Because the PiS was in constant conflict with the EU Commission over its judicial reform. She repeatedly demanded trillions in world war reparations from the federal government. Tusk and his colleagues, on the other hand, stand for a pro-European course and a more conciliatory policy towards Germany.