Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has thanked President Andrzej Duda for entrusting him with the mission to form the country’s new government after last month’s parliamentary elections.

Duda said in his address that „after a calm analysis and consultations,” he decided „to entrust the mission of forming a government to Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.” The president noted that if Morawiecki is unable to win a vote of confidence in the Sejm, the lower house of parliament, the chamber will appoint another prime minister. If this candidate is not approved by an absolute majority of the lower house within 14 days, the initiative returns to the president, who has 14 days to appoint a new prime minister and his Cabinet. The lower house then has 14 days to back the new government, a step that requires only a simple majority. If this third option also fails, the president has to call another election, to be held within 45 days.

Source – Polskie Radio

Poland’s Iga Świątek beat Jessica Pegula of the United States in straight sets on Monday to win the season-ending WTA Finals tennis tournament in Cancun, Mexico and reclaim her world No. 1 spot.

The Polish star eased past Pegula 6-1 6-0 in 59 minutes to win the eight-player event in Mexico and regain her world No. 1 ranking in women’s tennis. The Polish tennis player last month won the China Open tournament in Beijing, claiming her 16th career singles title. Świątek in September lost her world No. 1 spot to Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka after spending 75 weeks on top of the world rankings.

Source – Polskie Radio

Polish religious music from the 13th century to the present will be featured at a festival that opens in London on Tuesday. Held under the motto „Joy & Devotion,” the event is in its third year. All the concerts take place at London’s St Martin-in-the-Fields.

The festival features three acclaimed British choirs, The Brabant Ensemble, The Carice Singers and The Epiphoni Consort. Presented by the Warsaw-based Adam Mickiewicz Institute under the artistic direction of leading Polish composer and conductor Paweł Łukaszewski, the Joy & Devotion Festival aims to bring the rich treasures of Polish music to the UK as part of the institute’s mission to share „gems of Polish culture” with international audiences, officials said.

Source – Polskie Radio

The iconic cargo ship „Sołdek”, which is moored in the docks of Gdańsk old town celebrated its 75th birthday yesterday. The vessel made 1,500 trips and sailed for 31 years before it was put on permanent display in the old town. By January 2, 1981, it had transported almost 3.5 million tons of cargo, calling at 60 ports.

To celebrate the birthday, visitors to the ship were allowed come on board for the symbolic price of one zloty. They also received a small gift for their birthday – a bag with iron ore that the Sołdek was carrying.

Source – Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be a cloudy day with sunny spells in a moderate breeze with temperatures of 11 degrees Celsius (52 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and 6 degrees overnight. Tomorrow will turn more rainy in a gentle breeze with temperatures of 9 degrees during the day and 4 degrees overnight.

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Martin Caren/MarWer