UPDATED - Bronisław Komorowski (right) has been inaugurated as the fourth democratically elected president of Poland since the fall of communism.

After taking the oath of office, President Bronislaw Komorowski gave a speech to the National Assembly, which comprises of both houses of parliament.

President Komorowski  thanked parliamentarians with which he has worked for 19 years. He said he is honoured  to accept the nomination as president and thanked all the nine million voters who have allowed him to take the office.

To the eight million who voted for his rival in the second round of elections on July 4, Jaroslaw Kaczynski , and said that he will attempt to fulfill his duties in such a way “as to win their respect”. Bronislaw Komorowski  underlined he is taking over after very particular election, in the wake of the Smolensk air crash which killed Lech Kaczynski, his predecessor.  “Remembering those who died is one of the main priorities for me as the head of state,” said Komorowski.

The President underlined he is taking over at a time of goals and challenges which he is ready to face. “Poles have to look into the future without fear and apprehension, the twenty years of transformations [since 1989] have assured that we are now living in a free, sovereign and safe country. It is more than 200 years that Poland has experienced such a long period of freedom,” he told MPs and senators.  

“Economic development and education are our goals. ‘Agreement unites’ was my election motto,”  said the head of state. “And it is agreement and unity that we need to cope with the challenges. I declare that I will not lack the will nor determination.”

Bronislaw Komorowski, photo: bronislawkomorowski.pl

Peace, cooperation and understanding

Bronislaw Komorowski also strongly underlined his will to cooperate with the government, Parliament and all political parties

“Poland needs peace, cooperation and understanding and not hatred and contempt,” he said.

Komorowski  referred to his Solidarity roots and underlined that it was Solidarity  which brought Poland freedom, democracy and also the right to differing views.

Bronislaw Komorowski also spoke of foreign policy and the importance of  Poland’s position in the EU. He underlined his will to continue cooperation with the USA and said that he strongly supports improving relations with Russia.

He underlined his first foreign trip will take him to Brussels, then to Paris and Berlin, showing that the Weimar Triangle [Poland, France, Germany] is an important element of Polish foreign policy.

Komorowski said he knows he will be evaluated by deeds and not words and said he intends to show his work

The head of state wound his speech saying he believes in Poland and patriotism “but first and foremost, I believe in Poles.”

Guest list - Kaczynski boycotts ceremony

Guests invited include former heads of state Lech Wałęsa and Aleksander Kwaśniewski. An invitation has also been sent to former communist leader Wojciech Jaruzelski, speaker of the lower house, Grzegorz Schetyna, said Thursday, after reports earlier this week that he would not be sent an invitation.

The list of prominent figures attending the event also includes Primate Józef Kowalczyk, Warsaw metropolitan Archbishop Kazimierz Nycz, Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich and Orthodox Church leader Archbishop Sawa. 

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, however, the leader of the Law and Justice party who was beaten by Komrowski in the July election decided not to attend.

Pomp and circumstance

The ceremony proceeds in accordance with convention.

After the oath of office, and President Bronisław Komorowski’s official address, a wreath-laying ceremony will follow at the plaque commemorating parliamentarians who died during World War II. Later, a meeting of the two Houses of Parliament will take place at the office of the speaker of the house. At midday, a special service will be held at St. John’s Cathedral in Warsaw, concelebrated by Archbishop Kazimierz Nycz.

Finally, Bronisław Komorowski will attend a ceremony at the Royal Castle, where he will be handed the insignia of the Order of Poland Reborn and the Order of the White Eagle. (ab/pg)

Audio by John Beauchamp

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