WARSAW, Poland, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Newly sworn Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said his liberal coalition government is well prepared to serve the nation, not dominate it.
After being sworn in by Polish President Lech Kaczynski in Warsaw's presidential office Friday, Tusk said the center-right government is determined to pay serious attention to Poles' health, wages and home security, Deutsche Welle reported.
Tusk, 50, has voiced his plans to mend tense relations with the European Union, particularly with Germany. Improved Russian relations also are on the agenda.
These relationships were at odds during the regime of former Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the president's twin brother, whose conservative nationalist Law and Justice party was defeated by Tusk's pro-EU Civic Platform in parliamentary elections Oct. 21.
However, relations with Washington may be rocked as Tusk plans to withdraw next year some 900 troops serving as part of the U.S.-led forces in Iraq.
Tusk also said he might be tougher than the Kaczynskis in negotiating deployment of a U.S. missile shield in Eastern Europe.
At home, Tusk plans to speed up reforms, cut down red tape and intensify the privatization process, Deutsche Welle said.
