Andrzej Olechowski (right) co-founder of the centre-right Civic Platform, has left the party. 

Prime Minister and head of Civic Platform Donald Tusk has confirmed that he received a letter from Andrzej Olechowski informing him about his decision to leave the party.  

“I have an impression that the letter was written by a man who is a bit disappointed with the fact that his ambitions and expectations were not met. Unfortunately, I’m not able to fulfill his requirements,” said Donald Tusk. “Everyone has the right to choose their own way,” he added. PM Tusk denied speculation that Olechowski demanded the post of Poland’s EU commissioner or a post as ambassador. 

“In my opinion Olechowski wants to be engaged politically with Pawel Piskorski for the newly established Democratic Party and will probably run for the presidency 9in the 2010 elections],” said Maciej Plazynski from Civic Platform. 

“I’m not surprised Olechowski has left Civic Platform and joined my party,” said former mayor of Warsaw  and MEP Pawel Piskorski. “We both are against a monopoly in Polish politics.”

Olechowski was deputy governor at the National Bank of Poland from 1989 to 1991 and foreign minister from 1993 to 95. He set up Civic Platform in 2001 after standing in the presidential elections of 2000. (mg/pg) 

Source: PAP