Poland's new president calls for stronger Nato presence to counter Russia

He vowed to press for more Nato security guarantees at the group’s summit in Warsaw next year. He called his programme Newport Plus, in reference to a summit in Wales last year that decided on a rapid reaction force in the region, which is still being formed. Duda insisted that was not enough.

Within the EU, he vowed to speak with more authority on Poland’s goals and needs to make them clearer to political partners.

A former member of the opposition Law and Justice party, he appealed for mutual respect and cooperation. He will have to find ways to work with the liberal coalition government of Civic Platform and a small farmer party.

Duda was sworn in before the national assembly of lawmakers and senators at parliament, in the presence of the government and of his predecessor, Bronisław Komorowski. Duda’s wife, Agata, was standing by his side. His parents and daughter were also there.