Komorowski sworn in as Polish president (Roundup)

Aug 6, 2010, 13:49 GMT

Warsaw - Bronislaw Komorowski pledged to unite Poland after he was sworn in Friday as the country's new president, succeeding Lech Kaczynski, who died in a plane crash in Russia in April.

'Only we can determine if the inevitable disagreements dig valleys between us,' Komorowski said during a ceremony in Parliament. 'Or if we lead a democratic debate, while upholding mutual respect and concern for priorities.'

Komorowski vowed to protect the constitution, to unite the nation across political lines and to modernize Poland's infrastructure during his five-year term as president.

He is seen as a politician eager for Poland to play a stronger role in the European Union and build better relations with Russia.

The Polish president has the power to veto laws and can influence the country's debate over issues such as adopting the euro currency and withdrawing from Afghanistan.

The swearing-in ceremony was followed by a moment of silence to honour the victims of the April plane crash in which Kaczynski and 95 others were killed.

In attendance were politicians, religious officials and other guests, including Lech Walesa, former president and leader of the anti-Communist Solidarity labour union, and Jerzy Buzek, the European Parliament president.

Komorowski's electoral victory means his Civic Platform party now controls both the executive and legislative branches of government.

Analysts have said that Komorowski's presidency will boost Warsaw's image abroad and end the days of frequent spats between the president and premier, which had made Poland look divided.

Komorowski on Friday stressed his eagerness to build stronger relations with EU countries and EU aspirants such as Ukraine. He said his first visit as president will be to Brussels, headquarters of the EU, followed by stops in Paris and Berlin.

Komorowski also pledged to improve relations with Russia, adding that 'there will be no stable development of our region' without working with Moscow.

Relations between Warsaw and Moscow grew tense when Poland signed a deal in August 2008 to host a United States missile defence shield.

But there was a thaw in the aftermath of the April plane crash, as Poles appreciated the outpouring of sympathy from ordinary Russians.

Komorowski said he was taking office after a unique election campaign that saw Poland facing a big national tragedy.

'It was our shared tragedy, our shared mourning that marked us with sadness and acute pain,' he said.

He also called for cooperation between Poland's political parties, which were at odds over health care and pension reforms during the presidency of Lech Kaczynski.

Poland's political scene has been frequently acrimonious amid the rivalry between the ruling Civic Platform party and the opposition Law and Justice.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, head of Law and Justice and the twin brother of the late president, did not attend Friday's ceremony. Kaczynski lost to Komorowski in a runoff vote in July.

Mariusz Blaszczak, head of the party's parliamentary club, said it was 'rather obvious' that Kaczynski would not attend. He said Komorowski had treated Lech Kaczynski harshly.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski was known as an aggressive politician before he toned down his image during the presidential campaign. More recently, Kaczynski has criticized the government for its handling of the probe into the plane crash.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Komorowski attended a mass at Warsaw Cathedral, where he prayed alongside his wife, Anna.

He then received the Order of the White Eagle - the nation's highest honour - at a ceremony in the capital's Royal Castle. He was congratulated by former presidents, premiers and religious leaders.

Komorowski will take up residence at Belweder Palace, where he will stay until renovations at the presidential palace are completed.