In a surprise move, maverick MP Janusz Palikot has resigned from the ruling Civic Platform exactly two months before the date he had previously announced he would leave the party.

The liberal parliamentarian proclaimed the resignation on his blog, not waiting until 6 December, after local elections, to leave the ranks of the party.

“[Government spokesman] Gras did not call me, [PM] Tusk did not persuade me [to stay], [Parliamentary Speaker] Schetyna did not scare me […],” Palikot states on the blog.

“I am resigning from Civic Platform membership, [as well as its] Parliamentary Club, because it’s not worth my time to explain every day why I should wait until 6 December,” Palikot concludes.

Two letters of resignation are also posted for public viewing on the blog. One of the resignations is addressed to Tomasz Tomczykiewicz, head of Civic Platform’s Parliamentary Club.

“The reason [for my resignation] is a differing view as to the participation of my person in socio-political life, as well as a lack of acceptance from the conservative wing of Civic Platform,” Palikot writes in the letter of resignation to Tomczykiewicz.

The move comes after Palikot organised a congress in Warsaw last weekend whose aim was to propagate his new political movement embracing the liberal left.

Between 15 October and 15 November, there are to be 16 regional meetings which aim to discuss the party’s eventual programme and to rally for support. A congress in November is to decide on the party’s governing body, with regional structures to be in place by the end of the year. (jb)

Source: PAP