(ANSA) - TRIESTE - Poland's new prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, was officially sworn into office along with the Cabinet members who served under his predecessor. The country's prime minister of the last two years, Beata Szydlo, was sworn in as deputy prime minister.

Morawiecki, who previously held the posts of deputy prime minister and minister of finance, was picked last week to head the government by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the powerful leader of the ruling Law and Justice party. Szydlo was popular among Poles, but the country's image abroad has suffered as a result of the conservative government's refusal to accept migrants, more assertive stance toward Germany, and the way Law and Justice has consolidated the government's control over the judiciary, something the European Union sees as a violation of the rule of law.

"This will be a government of continuation", Morawiecki said, adding that prosperity for families, well-paid jobs and affordable housing would be priorities. Morawiecki, a former banker who speaks English and German, is seen as better prepared to represent Poland internationally. (ANSA).