Polish President sets date for first session of new lower house

Polish President Bronislaw Komorwski said Thursday that he plans to call the first meeting of the new lower house (Sejm) on November 8, the latest possible date. Komorowski told a press conference that the current government will continue office until that date. He added that his decision was connected with "requirements arising from Poland's EU presidency" and that there would be two weeks in which to form a new government after the meeting. "This procedure (of forming the new government) should wind up no later than on November 22," Komorowski said. Poland's State Electoral Commission (PKW) announced on Tuesday that ruling Civic Platform won Poland's Sunday parliamentary elections with nearly 40 percent of votes. Under the Polish Constitution, the first session of the new lower house will be held between Oct. 10 and Nov. 8, during which the outgoing prime minister will submit the resignation of his cabinet. The president will appoint a new prime minister, who will propose a new cabinet within 14 days after the first session. The lower house will then hold a vote of confidence in the new cabinet in December.