The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party supported Morawiecki's proposals, while opposition groups said his new conservative Cabinet lacked credibility, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Morawiecki addressed parliament on Monday morning, outlining the policy plans of his new Cabinet and asking MPs for a vote of confidence.
The prime minister outlined the main challenges for the country and his new Cabinet, including fast economic growth, strengthening the army amid Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine and ensuring quality public services.
MPs then held a debate ahead of a vote on confidence in Morawiecki's new government.
Morawiecki, Poland's head of government since 2017, was reappointed prime minister by President Andrzej Duda in November, but his Law and Justice party lacks a majority in the new parliament.
If Morawiecki's government fails to secure a vote of confidence from MPs, the lower house will appoint another prime minister, most probably opposition leader Donald Tusk.
MPs' debate
During the floor debate, Poland's conservative leader Jarosław Kaczyński said his PiS party had sought to pursue a "values-based policy" that gives "a central role to the national community," in which "the rights and freedom of the individual are respected."
He added that, by contrast, other political groups in Poland had sought to "cater to the strongest interests, both internal and external," and warned that "this approach will return" if the opposition takes power.
Meanwhile, Krzysztof Paszyk from the opposition Third Way alliance said Morawiecki's appeal for "dialogue" and "common ground" between Poland's political forces had "no credibility" as the Law and Justice government had "excluded various social groups" and "sowed lies and hatred" in society, the PAP news agency reported.
Paszyk said his centre-right Third Way group would vote against giving Morawiecki's new Cabinet a vote of confidence.
Barbara Nowacka of the liberal Civic Coalition (KO) said that "inflation rose to record levels" on Morawiecki's watch, while his government also "denied climate change" and allowed Poland's international standing to become "weaker than ever" without strong alliances.
The Left's Krzysztof Gawkowski said that the ruling conservatives had "destroyed Poland's relations with the European Union" and neigbours, and described Morawiecki's policy speech as "empty" and devoid of content, the PAP news agency reported.
Meanwhile, Sławomir Mentzen from the far-right Confederation criticised Law and Justice's economic record, saying the government had "waged war on the middle class, entrepreneurs and professionals."
The pro-government Kukiz'15 group's Jarosław Sachajko said his right-wing party would back Morawiecki's new Cabinet as its policy pledges and record so far "merit support," the PAP news agency reported.
Poland to have new PM on Monday?
A bloc of opposition parties has put forward Donald Tusk, a former top European Union official, as their candidate for prime minister to replace Morawiecki.
Tusk's liberal Civic Coalition group is poised to take power in Poland, forming a coalition government with the centre-right Third Way alliance and the Left, after an election in October.
In case of Morawiecki failing to secure o vote of confidence, at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, the lower house, the Sejm, was set to launch the procedure to elect a new head of government, including a floor debate and a vote at 8 p.m., according to a schedule released by the Sejm Office.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, RMF FM