The Party of European Socialists welcomes the swearing-in of the new pro-European government coalition, with 4 ministers from PES member party Nowa Lewica. The cabinet garnered the Parliament’s support today, breaking eight years of undemocratic PiS rule, overwhelmingly voted out by Polish people in the elections of 15 October. The elections had the highest turnout in Polish history.
PES president Stefan Löfven said:
“I welcome the formation of a new pro-European government in Poland and I congratulate Prime Minister Donald Tusk and all ministers from Nowa Lewica, who will be in charge of important areas, such as Digitalisation; Family, Employment and Social Affairs; Science and High Education; and Equality. This is a historic moment. We are looking forward to a progressive change for Poland, with full respect of the rule of law and of everyone’s rights, notably women’s rights.”
Nowa Lewica’s members in the new cabinet are: Krzysztof Gawkowski — Deputy PM and Minister of Digitalisation—; Dariusz Wieczorek — Minister of Science and High Education—; Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bak — Minister of Family, Employment and Social Affairs—; and Katarzyna Kotula — Minister for Equality.
PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck said:
“I welcome the beginning of a new time in Poland, overcoming the years of division and regression by the hard-right government. I warmly welcome the wide cross-party cooperation against the policies of PiS and their style of government. Democracy is more important than one single political programme. The EPP should take good note of it.”