POLAND:President Lech Kaczynski of Poland swore in a new government of political rivals yesterday and praised the outgoing administration headed by his twin brother for "its success in economic and foreign policy".
The new prime minister, Donald Tusk, will head a coalition of his liberal conservative Civic Platform (PO) and the smaller, centrist Peasants' Party after winning last month's general election.
"This is a government of good and decent people," said Mr Tusk. "I strongly believe that together we can make the promises we have made before the election come true."
He has promised further reforms to boost Poland's already booming economy and ready it for the euro zone. Another priority is rebuilding relations with European neighbours which were strained by the previous government.
President Kaczynski, no friend of Mr Tusk since beating him in the 2005 presidential election, has criticised the government before it was even formed.
"The past two years were a success for the country . . . in economy and in foreign policy," he said. "I hope the new government will build an even stronger position for Poland."
Mr Tusk has a delicate task ahead of him because of constitutional obligations to consult President Kaczynski on matters concerning foreign, security and defence policy.
Complicating matters further is his new foreign minister Radek Sikorski. The Kaczynski twins view him as a traitor for his defection from their government to the PO before the election.
Poland's euro-zone ambitions have received a boost by the appointment to the finance ministry of Jacek Rostowski. The independent economist formulated Poland's economic shock therapy in the 1990s and favours early adoption of the euro.
German chancellor Angela Merkel was the first to congratulate Mr Tusk yesterday, saying she "looked forward to further strengthening co-operation with Poland in the EU and Nato".