REACTIONARY Karol Nawrocki was inaugurated as Poland’s new president today, potentially setting the country on a far-right course.

Though most day-to-day power in Poland rests with the prime minister, the country’s president holds the power to influence foreign policy and veto laws.

Mr Nawrocki, who was supported by US President Donald Trump ahead of a narrow victory in a run-off election in June, is a 42-year-old historian who had no political experience prior to campaigning.

In his inauguration speech to parliament, Mr Nawrocki lashed out at “electoral propaganda” and “lies” during the campaign that culminated in the June 1 runoff vote, but added: “As a Christian, I forgive with peace of mind and from the bottom of my heart all this contempt, and what happened during the elections.”

Mr Nawrocki has openly opposed same-sex marriage and abortion, and has accused LGBT groups of “sexualising children.”

“I will of course support relations within the European Union, but I will never agree to the European Union taking competences away from Poland, especially in matters that are not enshrined in the European treaties,” he said.

Mr Nawrocki said he would “strive to make the Polish army the largest Nato force in the European Union” and said Poles were “responsible for building the strength of Nato’s eastern flank.”