Poland’s conservatives propose minority govt

WARSAW: Poland´s ruling conservatives on Monday presented the president with a minority government, which most observers believe is unlikely to get enough votes from lawmakers.

If the line-up fails to get the green light from parliament, it will be the turn of the pro-EU liberals led by ex-premier Donald Tusk to form a government. The right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party emerged first after the October 15 general election, but without a clear majority and with little chance to forge a coalition.

“We are fulfilling the constitutional custom of naming a government presented by the party that won the elections,” President Andrzej Duda said after ministers were presented at a formal ceremony.

Opposition leader Donald Tusk´s liberal Civic Coalition bloc finished second but together with two minor parties -- the centrist Third Way and the Left -- secured a majority of 248 lawmakers in the 460-seat parliament.

Duda, who is allied with the conservatives, had tasked the PiS with a first attempt at forming the new government. The cabinet presented Monday features a few well-known names, including Mariusz Blaszczak staying on as defence minister.