Rivals for power: Komorowski (left) with Sikorski

Radek Sikorski and Bronislaw Komorowski held his first pre-election rally, Sunday, aimed at securing the nomination as Civic Platform‘s candidate in this year‘s presidential elections.

At his first election rally for Civic Platform’s primaries Foreign Minister Sikorski promised a new style of leadership if he was chosen to stand in the elections, probably scheduled for this autumn. Taking a shot at President Lech Kaczynski, who will almost certainly be running as candidate for the Law and Justice party, Sikorski said:

“The presidency does not have to look like it does now. In place of […] dozens of bodyguards and advisors all over the place everything, I promise simplicity: fewer jobs in the office, and less interference in matters for which someone else is responsible,” he said, referring to President Kaczynski’s incursions into areas of policy which the government sees as its responsibility.

\Meanwhile, speaking to party activists in Bialystok, Sikorski’s rival for the Civic Platform nomination, Bronislaw Komorowski, launched an attack on Lech Kaczynski’s presidency, which he believes “is blocking or at least not to encouraging the modernization of the country." He promised that after the elections he "will end the practice of blocking modernization in the name of the interests of [the Law and Justice] party."

Asked at a press conference whether the primary elections by party activists will not lead to divisions within Civic Platform, Komorowski said that "there is always such a risk” but assured that he and his opponent will try to do everything to avoid this.

"I think we are both trying to present a candidate that has the backing of the conservative-liberal. mainstream of the party,

Radek Sikorski promised the party faithful not to "insult to Europe", but instead engage in dialogue with EU partners.

He promised that as president he would "allow the government to govern," and will focus on promotion of Polish in the world.

“I will show a new face of this country, without complexes: a face turned toward the future, towards a new era and without fear to face the challenges of the modern world.”

The idea of holding a ballot of Civic Platform members was hatched after prime Minister Donald Tusk decided not to run for president. (pg)