Polish Prime Minister to Form New Government Despite Lack of Majority
WARSAW, Nov 6 (Reuters) – Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has been given the opportunity to form a government after his Law and Justice (PiS) party emerged as the winner in last month’s election, according to President Andrzej Duda. This task may prove to be difficult for Morawiecki and his party as they currently lack a majority.
During the October 15 ballot, an alliance of pro-European Union opposition parties secured a majority. However, President Duda had previously announced that he would grant the party with the largest number of seats the first chance to form a government.
PiS, which has been in power since 2015, led in the election but failed to maintain its majority. With all other parties rejecting the idea of forming a coalition with PiS, it seems unlikely that the party will be able to effectively govern.
In a televised address, President Duda stated, “After a calm analysis and consultations, I decided to entrust the mission of forming a government to Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki,” reaffirming his alliance with PiS.
PiS spokesperson Rafal Bochenek expressed praise for Duda’s decision, considering it “a confirmation of the longstanding constitutional tradition of our country,” in a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
However, if Morawiecki is unable to win a vote of confidence in parliament, another prime minister will be appointed. Former European Council President Donald Tusk, the choice of the mainstream opposition parties, is likely to be considered for the position.
Tusk, who had urged Duda not to delay in appointing him as prime minister, argued that any delay could negatively impact the unblocking of funds that Brussels has frozen for Poland due to a dispute over judicial reforms.
Addressing a rally shortly before Duda spoke, Tusk expressed confidence that he would eventually become prime minister, regardless of Duda’s decision. “This game… unnecessarily exposes Polish interests to tangible losses, but I will tell you once again, it will not change anything,” Tusk stated.
The appointment of the Europhile Tusk would mark a significant shift for Poland after eight years of conflicts with Brussels on issues such as migration and LGBT rights.
In addition to promising to unblock European Union funds, Tusk has also vowed to hold those accused of wrongdoing during PiS’s tenure in power, including Duda, accountable before a state tribunal.
The liberal Civic Coalition (KO) grouping has accused PiS of undermining democratic standards by exerting greater political control over the courts and transforming state television into a platform for propaganda. The government denies these allegations.
Reporting by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk, Alan Charlish, Pawel Florkiewicz, Anna Koper; editing by Gareth Jones, Philippa Fletcher, Sharon Singleton, and Rod Nickel.
Note: This article is subject to the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.