WARSAW, Poland (AP) - The Latest on political government reshuffling in Poland (all times local):

8:30 p.m.

Poland's conservative ruling party says Prime Minister Beata Szydlo has resigned and will be replaced by Finance Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the powerful leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice party and Prime Minister Beata Szydlo wave after her government survived a vote in which the opposition was seeking to oust it, at the parliament buildingin Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

The announcement was made late Thursday by Beata Mazurek, the Law and Justice party spokeswoman, following meetings at the party's headquarters in Warsaw. It comes after weeks of speculation that Szydlo could be replaced, even though her government is popular with many Poles.

Mazurek said Szydlo resigned during the meeting, but the party leadership wants her to hold some other important government position, which she did not specify.

Government critics saw the leadership change as mostly a smoke screen to divert attention from a Friday vote on laws that would give the ruling party significant power over Poland's judicial system.

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11 a.m.

The future of Poland's Prime Minister Beata Szydlo hung in the balance as top political leaders considered a government reshuffling that could see her replaced.

Even though Szydlo's Cabinet enjoys wide public support and the economy is booming, some members of the ruling Law and Justice party say they want a new government leader to stimulate further economic development.

Government critics saw the possible leadership change as mostly a smoke screen to divert attention from a Friday vote on laws that would give the ruling party significant power over the judicial system.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the powerful leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice party gives Prime Minister Beata Szydlo a kiss and a bunch of flowers after her government survived a vote in which the opposition was seeking to oust it, at the parliament building in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the powerful leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice party congratulates Prime Minister Beata Szydlo after her government survived a vote in which the opposition was seeking to oust it, at the parliament buildingin Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Poland's Prime Minister Beata Szydlo, left, rejoices after she and her government survived opposition's vote of no-confidence in the parliament in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. Szydlo, however, is at the center of speculation that she and some of her ministers will be replaced in a government reshuffle in the near future. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Poland's Prime Minister Beata Szydlo rejoices after she and her government survived opposition's vote of no-confidence in the parliament in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. Szydlo, however, is at the centre of speculation that she and some of her ministers will be replaced in a government reshuffle in the near future. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

FILE - In this Dec. 21, 2016 file photo Jaroslaw Kaczynski, chairman of the populist ruling Law and Justice party, speaks during a press conference with Poland's Prime Minister Beata Szydlo, left, in Warsaw, Poland. Szydlo sent a tweet early Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 that seems to read like a farewell, amid rumors in Warsaw that she might be replaced by Finance Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz, file)

Poland's Prime Minister Beata Szydlo, left, shakes hands with Finance Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, right, prior to a government meeting in Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. Szydlo sent a tweet early Tuesday that seems to read like a farewell, amid rumors in Warsaw that she might be replaced by Morawiecki. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)

Poland's President Andrzej Duda gives a ceremonial speech to the National Assembly, the joint houses of parliament, in Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, to open a year of observances that will lead up to the 100th anniversary of Poland's regaining of independence, a historic fact that the current government holds very important for national identity. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2015 file photo the leader of the ruling Law and Justice party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, right, raises his hand during one of the votes passing a new law on the constitutional court, as Prime Minister Beata Szydlo, left, looks on, in the parliament in Warsaw, Poland. Prime Minister Szydlo sent a tweet early Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 that seems to read like a farewell, amid rumors in Warsaw that she might be replaced by Finance Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz, file)