Polish lawmakers have tasked former EU chief Donald Tusk with forming the next government after eight years of right-wing populist rule.
Earlier, the lower house of parliament, which is controlled by Tusk's pro-European alliance, rejected the new cabinet proposed by the conservative camp, AFP reported.
The Law and Justice conservatives won the most seats in October's general election, but found themselves without viable coalition partners. This resulted in a vote in which only 190 MPs voted for Mateusz Morawiecki's right-wing government and 266 were against.
Although Tusk's political group Civic Coalition came second in the election, it secured a majority by teaming up with two smaller pro-European opposition parties, Third Way and Left.
The trio ran on promises including improving strained ties with the European Union and pursuing liberal reforms.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the election of Donald Tusk in Poland and called for "unity" in the face of Moscow.
"The future of Ukraine and Poland lies in unity, mutual aid and strategic partnership to defeat our common enemy," Zelensky said in X. Warsaw is one of Kiev's main supporters in Europe.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said she looked forward to "working together for a prosperous Poland and a stronger Europe".
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also congratulated Tusk, adding that she looked forward to seeing him at a summit of European leaders in Brussels this week. /BGNES
