Polish ex-communist Mr Leszek Miller was sworn in as leader of a new left-wing government today, enabling him to mount a budget rescue operation following his election victory last month.
Mr Miller, who gave his oath of office to President Mr Aleksander Kwasniewski at a ceremony in Warsaw's presidential palace, also took personal charge of the body handling Poland's talks on joining the European Union, his top foreign policy priority.
His Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), which took 41 per cent of the vote on September 23, has formed a coalition with the smaller Polish Peasants' Party (PSL), the SLD's partner in a 1993-97 government.
Mr Miller's will make his maiden speech next Thursday to parliament, at which the SLD-PSL - which has a 28-seat majority - should win a confidence vote.
Earlier, outgoing Prime Minister Mr Jerzy Buzek announced his resignation to the opening of parliament. His right-wing Solidarity bloc failed to win any seats at all, punished by voters for four years of weak rule.
"Today you take responsibility for Poland," Mr Buzek told deputies at the opening session of the new parliament. "I wish you success".
At the September 23rd general election, voters angered by four years of rising unemployment, botched reforms and a string of sleaze scandals, ejected Mr Buzek's Solidarity government from parliament completely.