Donald Tusk has said that he wants the current Civic Platform – Polish Peasants Party parliamentary coalition to hold out until the end of its term in 2011, when a general election is expected to be held.

The comment comes after the leader of the Polish Peasants Party (PSL), Waldemar Pawlak, came fifth in the first round of the presidential elections held on Sunday, receiving only 1.75 percent of the ballot.

Speculation abound that Grzegorz Napieralski, the leftist candidate who gained almost 14 percent in last weekend’s elections, may replace Pawlak in the ministerial cabinet.

PM Tusk dumbed down the allegations, saying that his party’s co-operation with PSL is good for Poland, and has even hinted that their coalition may be followed through after the parlimentary elections in 2011.

Deputy PM and economy minister Pawlak also underlined the continuing success of the PO-PSL coalition, saying that the two parties managed to find common ground in ‘complicated’ situations. (jb)

Source: IAR