Eight years of right-wing populist governance in Poland came to an end on Wednesday as the country's president swore in Donald Tusk as the country's new pro-EU prime minister.
The conservative head of state, who is connected to the Law and Justice (PiS) party's former government, swore in the new administration's ministers one after the other.
Prime Minister Tusk, who led Poland from 2007 to 2014, has promised to mend the country's standing in the EU after Warsaw's relations with Brussels were strained due to violations of the rule of law.
Additionally, the former president of the European Council declared that his government would prioritize aiding the war-torn nation of Ukraine.
Included in Tusk's cabinet are ombudsman Adam Bodnar as justice minister and Radoslaw Sikorski as foreign minister, a position he has previously held.
The PiS secured the most seats in the general election held in October, but on Monday they were unable to form a workable coalition and obtain support for their minority administration.
Despite placing second on the ballot, Tusk's Civic Coalition formed an alliance with the Left and the Third Way, two smaller pro-EU opposition parties, and garnered enough votes to depose PiS.
There will probably be daily struggles between PiS lawmakers and the incoming government. In addition to numerous significant judicial and financial state institutions, the party has allies in the president, the central bank, and the supreme court.
Andrzej Duda, the president of Poland, may veto legislation between now until 2025 by using blocking tactics.
