Belka was given a ringing endorsement from the president

He called on members of the lower house, the Sejm, to give him a year to introduce reforms aimed at fighting poverty and improving healthcare.

Mr Belka also asked for time to deal with Poland's involvement in Iraq, where it has 2,400 soldiers stationed.

He said he expected to be able to reduce troop numbers next year.

On Thursday, President Aleksander Kwasniewski urged parliament to support the new government, saying it would be a better solution to Poland's political crisis than early elections.

But parliament, fragmented after defections from the ruling coalition, is expected to reject Mr Belka.

He was appointed after Leszek Miller resigned as prime minister over economic woes and corruption claims.

Mr Miller stepped down a day after Poland became the European Union's largest newcomer on 1 May.

This government of intelligent compromise is the best solution for Poland today and a substantially better option than shortening the term of parliament Aleksander Kwasniewski, Polish President

If the new cabinet is rejected, Mr Belka, 51, may be asked again to form a government before any fresh election is called.

MPs were due to hold the vote of confidence at 1900 GMT.

"I ask for a contract of one year to accomplish a concrete task," Mr Belka told parliament.

"An economic revival accompanying EU membership is an exceptional opportunity. Not to profit from it would be unforgivable."

On Iraq, Mr Belka said he hoped that the handover of power and the prospect of elections would allow Poland to reduce its troop numbers from the start of next year.

Iraq experience

The political turmoil comes as Poland is still trying to carve its international role and reach agreement on the new draft EU constitution.

Mr Belka has said he wanted to reach a deal before a key EU summit in June, whereas his predecessor fought to hang on to beneficial voting rights gained in the EU's 2000 Nice enlargement treaty.

Mr Belka, the former finance minister, resigned from the government last July amid reports he had objected to the rejection of his plans to cut the budget deficit.

After a short spell managing the international relief effort in Iraq, he was picked by US administrator Paul Bremer to spearhead Iraq's economic recovery.

Polish banks and businesses are said to trust the former minister, a liberal economist.

Some see him as the natural choice to lead a Poland which wants to be both a partner to the US and a powerhouse in Europe.

If he wins the parliament's support, he will govern until scheduled polls in the summer of next year.