Polish President Duda gives Prime Minister Morawiecki first chance to form government

(Patria) - Polish President Andrzej Duda said he would give current Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki the first chance to form a new government after elections three weeks ago, the BBC reported.

His party Law and Justice (PiS) won 194 seats and faces a difficult search for allies to reach a majority of 231. Three opposition parties, led by former Prime Minister Donald Tusk, won 248 seats.

If Morawiecki fails to secure a majority, Tusk could be given the chance to form a government. Morawiecki is the leader of the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, which came first in the elections for the Sejm, the lower house of parliament, last month, but is far from a majority.

All other parties in parliament have pledged not to support PiS.

After previous elections, the largest party was given the first chance to try to form a government. But given the difficulties Morawiecki will face in securing a majority, the opposition has argued that Tusk should be given the chance to arrange a coalition.

Duda, an ally of PiS, made the decision after consultations with all parties represented in parliament. Tusk's Civic Coalition and two allies, Third Way and the Left, together have a comfortable majority.