Aleksander Kwasniewski – Poland’s only head of state to win two elections in a row (1995-2005) since 1989 – has come out unambiguously for Bronislaw Komorowski in the second round of presidential elections this Sunday.

“I will vote for Komorowski and I encourage left-wing politicians and voters who are still undecided to cast their vote for Civic Platform’s candidate,” said Kwasniewski.

The left wing vote has become crucial in deciding Poland’s next president following the 14 percent showing of leader of the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) Grzegorz Napieralski in the first round on June 20.

In Kwasniewski’s opinion, Komorowski can guarantee that Polish politics will be predictable and efficient, which is a value in times of global finance crisis. “Bronislaw Komorowski and PM Donald Tusk together will take responsibility for that and if they fail, we will hold them accountable for it during the parliamentary elections next year,” said Kwasniewski.

The former left wing president said that Komorowski, the centre-right Civic Platform candidate, is a, “man of compromise and dialogue who can cooperate with various groups.”

“Komorowski is just the right man for the post of president,” he said.

At the same time, the left-wing politician said that he respects Law and Justice’s candidate Jaroslaw Kaczynski and still considers him an important politician. Kwasniewski criticized Kaczynski, however, for his boasting of achievements of the government he led as prime minister between 2005-7, which included the controversial Andrzej Lepper and Roman Giertych as deputy prime ministers.

“The government headed by Jaroslaw Kaczynski and based on a toxic coalition of Law and Justice, Self Defence and the League of Polish Families parties, brought only political quarrels and internal divisions to the country and weakened Poland’s position on the global stage,” said Kwasniewski.

Today, SLD is to take a decision on which presidential candidate to support in the second round of the election on 4 July. (mg/pg)

Source: PAP

related story

Wałęsa throws weight behind Komorowski, thenews.pl, Feb 24

For more of our presidential election coverage check out our Poland Decides 2010 web pages.