Poles to decide on leader in poll runoff
Source: Agencies |
July 3, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
POLAND holds a presidential runoff tomorrow between the former leader's charismatic twin brother and the country's dutiful acting president, men with similar Catholic backgrounds but sharply different outlooks.
The outcome is expected to shape Poland's economy as well as determine how soon it adopts the euro currency and when it winds down its military mission in Afghanistan.
The early election is the result of President Lech Kaczynski's death in an April 10 plane crash that also killed his wife and 94 others, including many high-ranking military and government officials.
The first vote on June 20 ended with no candidate winning an absolute majority, leading to tomorrow's runoff between acting President and Parliament Speaker Bronislaw Komorowski, and former Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the twin brother of Lech.
June's vote among 10 candidates saw 41.5 percent support for Komorowski and 36.5 percent for Kaczynski. Yet a survey published yesterday showed no statistical difference between them -- a reflection of rising support for Kaczynski.
Poland's president can veto laws, and as commander in chief has influence on foreign military operations.
Komorowski, a moderate in the governing pro-EU Civic Platform party, has been favored, mostly because his government steered Poland well in Europe's financial storm.
Sympathy votes
But Kaczynski's conservative voter base has been backed by sympathy votes after his brother's death and the toning down of his image.
Komorowski has pledged to work closely with the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk to adopt the euro in about five years, end the military mission in Afghanistan in 2012, promote pro-market reforms and keep the Catholic church separate from the state.
Kaczynski has eased his combative style but holds conservative views on family life.
The outcome is expected to shape Poland's economy as well as determine how soon it adopts the euro currency and when it winds down its military mission in Afghanistan.
The early election is the result of President Lech Kaczynski's death in an April 10 plane crash that also killed his wife and 94 others, including many high-ranking military and government officials.
The first vote on June 20 ended with no candidate winning an absolute majority, leading to tomorrow's runoff between acting President and Parliament Speaker Bronislaw Komorowski, and former Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the twin brother of Lech.
June's vote among 10 candidates saw 41.5 percent support for Komorowski and 36.5 percent for Kaczynski. Yet a survey published yesterday showed no statistical difference between them -- a reflection of rising support for Kaczynski.
Poland's president can veto laws, and as commander in chief has influence on foreign military operations.
Komorowski, a moderate in the governing pro-EU Civic Platform party, has been favored, mostly because his government steered Poland well in Europe's financial storm.
Sympathy votes
But Kaczynski's conservative voter base has been backed by sympathy votes after his brother's death and the toning down of his image.
Komorowski has pledged to work closely with the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk to adopt the euro in about five years, end the military mission in Afghanistan in 2012, promote pro-market reforms and keep the Catholic church separate from the state.
Kaczynski has eased his combative style but holds conservative views on family life.
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