Poland's president appoints twin brother as new prime minister

Polish President Lech Kaczynski on Monday appointed Jaroslaw Kaczynski, his identical twin brother and the chairman of the governing Law and Justice party, as prime minister during a ceremony at the presidential palace.

Photo: Poland's president appoints twin brother as new prime minister

Poland's president appoints twin brother as new prime minister

Wearing a black suit, the president shook hands with his brother who looked almost indistinguishable except for his gray suit and wished him luck in forming a new government.

"I wish the new prime minister designate, chairman Jaroslaw Kaczynski, luck in forming his new government," the president said.

In brief remarks, Jaroslaw Kaczynski pledged to work to cleanse Poland of what he considers the corruption that flourished in the years since the fall of communism in 1989-1990, one of his favorite themes.

"The work of the Cabinet that I hope will be formed within the next few days will concentrate on everything aiming to fix the state," Kaczynski said. "This goal is in essence our one goal. Poland needs fixing, needs deep rebuilding."

The president also warmly thanked outgoing Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz, who officially stepped down earlier Monday, for his hard work in "rebuilding the state."

Marcinkiewicz resigned amid reports of disagreements over economic policy between him and Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who was widely regarded as the power behind the scenes of the outgoing government. He is now to become the party's candidate for mayor of Warsaw.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski has said his future Cabinet would continue the pro-social welfare policies of Marcinkiewicz's government. Law and Justice sealed a coalition deal in May with two Euro-skeptic parties the farm-based Self-Defense and the Roman Catholic League of Polish Families.

The new prime minister now has 14 days to form his Cabinet, and then another two weeks to win a confidence vote in parliament, reports AP.