Saturday 4th September 2010
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Voters face landmark election2nd July 2010
As the hours ticked down to the end of campaigning on Friday night, the two candidates, Jaroslaw Kaczynski and Bronislaw Komorowski, made whistle-stop tours in an effort to drum up last minute support amongst undecided voters. Opinion polls showed that Mr Kaczynski, the twin of former president Lech Kaczynski, and leader of the Law and Justice party, trailed his rival by around 10 percent, making Mr Komorowski favourite to become Poland’s next head of state. But the Law and Justice leader can take heart from that many opinion polls for the first round of voting said that he would be hammered by Mr Komorowski but in the end he lost by just 5 percent. The surviving Kaczynski will also remember that five years ago his brother went into the presidential election trailing Donald Tusk, now prime minister, by 5 percent in the polls but emerged victorious. Perhaps remembering that night, Mr Tusk stepped into the contest, saying that Jaroslaw Kaczynski would make an even worse president than his brother, and that another Kaczynski victory would mean “war” between president and government. “Jaroslaw Kaczynski as a president would be a worse version of Lech Kaczynski, and even under Lech it was not easy,” said the prime minister in an interview for Polityka magazine. “The confrontation visible between Lech Kaczynski and the government would then be greatly increased because of Jaroslaw’s temper and determination. Now we face either five years of peace or five years of war. The choice will be made on July 4,” he added. Mr Tusk’s sharp words marked a deviation from the cordial spirit that prevailed throughout the campaign owing to the tragic circumstances that forced the vote. Even during two televised debates the candidates refrained from personal attacks and kept conversation to political differences. While the lack of mud-slinging and slander has been welcomed, it also contributed to an election campaign that many found uninspiring and lacklustre. Readers Comments
These recent Presidential elections indicate clearly a first major split between Catholics and Liberals in Poland. This must be seen as a follow-up to the first major protest and opposition gathering, which occured in Krakow, in front of the Palace of the Archbisschop on April 14, 2010. This protest was historic ! It was the first time people protested strongly against a decision of the Archbischops (burial in Krakow castle of the deceased President)- The Press of Poland pretty much ignored this large protest gathering, yet the Foreign Press did not! - Poland is now slowly turning away from its church hierarchy... Just like the Catholics of the E.U. have slowly turned away from the Catholic church influences in Belgium, France, Spain and several other countries. A new political era has started with Komorowski "total" separation from church and State in all matters pertaining to the best interest of the people. Poland is turning its head to Brussels, away from the Vatican. Long live Poland ! C.vanh - Oostende, Belgium Comments are now closed for this article
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Carl Swartz just read New drug bill put forward and said
"Great, that's just what we need, another country full of potheads wandering around zombie-like and gibbering absolute nonsense to anybody ..." Read the story and add your comment
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Luiz Felipe Haddad - Niteroi, Brazil
at 2010-07-04 21:09:19