Dziennik writes that European Parliament candidates have no secrets thanks to the website kandydaci2009.pl.
The daily reports that the website includes all sorts of mundane information about candidates, including who is or is not a vegetarian, who speaks Japanese and other such intimate details. The questionnaires were filled out at the will of candidates, but some of the information is incredibly important, maintains the paper.
For example, writes Dziennik, information about who speaks a foreign language is important for candidates to an international post, and, according to the website’s information, Poland’s candidates are decidedly weak in this area. The site also exposes candidates views on controversial issues like abortion, homosexual’s rights to adoption and the legalization of ‘soft drugs.’
The government wants all its department to go digital by 2011, including a national database and other e-administration innovations.
Gazeta Wyborcza writes that Poland’s government offices have plans to go fully digital by 2011, meaning the end of running around with papers for signatures and long lines queues.
However, in order for this to actually take place, the government has to change laws, procedures and, most importantly, mentalities, writes the daily. The paper writes that most ministries have most of the information that the public provides on paper already in cross-office databases but they are unwilling to search for it and seem to enjoy hassling citizens – something the government now wants to change.
The daily maintains that said changes will go into effect by 2011 with the launch of a database of basic citizen information called PESEL2. An additional convenience to be developed is the world of e-Gov: internet portals where one will be able to file for passports, ID cards and the like. Gazeta Wyborcza adds that these services will be more convenient for everyone, it is just essential to change the mentality of government employees, and, more importantly, the public at large.
Zycie Warszawy writes that over 125,000 more people came to visit Warsaw in 2008 than the year before and while city authorities expect the number of tourists to the capital to grow even more this year, hotel owners hold the opposite opinion.
According to the Central Statistical Office, Warsaw is Poland’s most-visited city with over 2.2 million people from within the country and abroad coming to sight-see. City representatives are optimistic for this year’s figures as well, but surprised that numbers are so high considering that most think Warsaw does not actually have much to offer visitors.
Museums close before 16:00, city festivals are poorly promoted and yet people are flocking to Warsaw, writes the daily. Zycie Warszawy writes that this is likely due to the fact that flights are cheaper because of the economic crisis so people are more likely to fly into the capital and spend a few days here. (mmj/pg)