Poland: Opposition parties reject PM's efforts to form new coalition govt

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s already narrow chances of retaining his position of power have been further damaged by the opposition parties in Poland rejecting his attempts to work with them to create a coalition government after last month’s election, MPs said on Wednesday. Although it won the Oct. 15 election, Morawiecki’s nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party was unable to secure a majority. His supporter, President Andrzej Duda, offered him the initial opportunity to form a new administration. Along with PiS, Morawiecki has called on other parties to form a wide “Coalition for Polish Affairs” and promised to carry out their policy recommendations. Morawiecki’s appeal has not gained traction, but opposition MPs claimed to have received letters inviting them to participate in coalition discussions. PSL ran for office as a member of the Third Way alliance, which also includes the liberal Civic alliance (KO) and the New Left in a pro-European coalition government. Szymon Holownia of Third Way was elected as the new speaker of the lower house Sejm, demonstrating that these three parties can control a majority in the assembly. The far-right Confederation party, which was predicted to support PiS in a coalition before the election, is the sole party still in parliament. However, a less favourable outcome meant that PiS would not have won a majority even with its backing. Parliament shall choose a new government if Morawiecki fails to secure a vote of confidence. Donald Tusk, the head of the KKK, has been nominated as the prime minister by the Third Way alliance, which is about to seize power. (With agency inputs)