Celebrations to mark the end of communism in Poland, planned for 4 June at the historic Gdansk shipyard, will probably be cancelled, PM Donald Tusk said today.

He is afraid that the 20th anniversary of the first free election in the communist bloc will be spoiled by the Solidarity trade union’s protests over the recent ruling by the European Commission which threatens thousands of jobs at the yard.

“I will not expose Poland’s image abroad to a scandal,” Tusk said.

Recently the trade union leaders declared that they plan a demonstration to protect the Gdansk shipyard and its work places while the celebrations are taking place..

“We are not against the celebrations but they should take place somewhere else,” Karol Guzikiewicz, said deputy leader of the Solidarity chapter at the yard.

Prime Minister Tusk claimed that he is ready to find a different place for the celebrations, but the Gdansk local authorities disagree. Yesterday, the president of Gdansk was trying to convince the trade unionists to change their plans and not disrupt any celebrations.

“On June 4 we have a fantastic opportunity to remind the world about the role of Gdansk and Poland in the fall of communism. It is our unique chance for promotion in Europe and our five minutes in history,” Pawel Adamowicz said.

Legendary former leader of Solidarity, Lech Walesa, supports Tusk’s idea to cancel Gdansk’s celebrations.

Poland’s parliamentary election on 4 June 1989 marked the beginning of the collapse of communism. (wg/pg)