Deputy Prime Minister Waldemar Pawlak is to run in this year‘s presidential elections, according to media reports.

The Polska daily claims that Pawlak has decided to formally announce his candidacy at the Polish Peasant’s Party (PSL) national convention, to be held on March 20 in Warsaw.

PSL also considered other candidates, such as deputy speaker of the lower house of parliament, Ewa Kierzkowska. Pawlak had been reticent to join the race for the presidential palace if, as was presumed, Prime Minister Donald Tusk would run as Civic Platform candidate. But now he has decided to not to do so, Pawlak can stand and avoid any damaging splits and conflicts in the current governing coalition with PSL.

Though Pawlak has little chance of winning the election, probably held this autumn, PSL politicians are hoping that his participation will help the party achieve a better result in local elections. PSL expect to at least equal the party’s performance in 2007 when they achieved 8.9 percent of the popular vote. (pg)