Poland’s new government, led by Donald Tusk, has been sworn into office by President Andrzej Duda. It marks the end of eight years of rule by the national-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party and the start of a four-year term for a more liberal coalition of parties ranging from left to centre-right.
“I am open to cooperation,” Duda, a PiS ally, told the new administration. “We come from different political camps but I am convinced that in important matters, such as security, it is possible for us to talk, share our opinions, and make decisions.”
“I can assure you that I will certainly not oppose or block anything that serves the good of citizens and the Republic of Poland,” added the president, who has the power to veto legislation passed by the government’s majority in parliament. “I wish you good luck,” he added.
Prezydent @AndrzejDuda: Gratuluję, przede wszystkim tego, że zwyciężyliście Państwo w procesie politycznym; gratuluję determinacji i zdecydowania, by wziąć w swoje ręce odpowiedzialność za polskie sprawy. Od dziś dzierżymy ją wspólnie. Pomyślność obywateli musi być zawsze… pic.twitter.com/Th2KeJilwJ
— Kancelaria Prezydenta (@prezydentpl) December 13, 2023
Tusk and his cabinet – which won a vote of confidence in parliament last night – arrived at the presidential palace this morning in a coach emblazed with the words “Thank you, Poland”.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Tusk said that he was “optimistic” about cooperation with Duda.
“I hope that the president and I have a common goal, serving Poland, even if we have different paths and experiences, sometimes very different,” said the new prime minister, quoted by broadcaster TVN.
Oglądam do śniadania. Na rządowym autobusie naspis Dziękujemy Polsko!
✌️❤️ pic.twitter.com/bJX5ejjR5b— Baronowa (@Baronowa_Kat) December 13, 2023
One of Tusk’s new deputy prime ministers, Krzysztof Gawkowski likewise said that he “expects good cooperation with the president” and “believes there will be no blocking of laws” by Duda.
However, some parts of the incoming government’s agenda – such as liberalising the abortion law and reversing the PiS government’s overhaul of the judiciary – may meet with resistance from the conservative president.
In an IBRiS poll published today by broadcaster Radio Zet, two thirds of Poles (65.5%) said that they do not believe Duda will be able to cooperate with Tusk’s government, while only 29% said that he would.
Poland's new government is a diverse coalition ranging from left to centre-right and contains a mix of big names and new faces, including some from outside politics.
Read our profile of every minister and some of the challenges each will face ⬇️ https://t.co/J1xfrmHHdj
— Notes from Poland 🇵🇱 (@notesfrompoland) December 13, 2023
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Main image credit: Jakub Szymczuk/KPRP
Daniel Tilles is editor-in-chief of Notes from Poland. He has written on Polish affairs for a wide range of publications, including Foreign Policy, POLITICO Europe, EUobserver and Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.
