Politicians intensify campaigning on the the last Sunday before 21 November’s local government elections in which Poles will pick new mayors, council members and regional assemblies.

If the elections were held today, candidates from the ruling Civic Platform would gain 38.7 percent of the vote.

According to a poll by the Homo Homini Institute, Law and Justice, the main opposition party, could count on almost 21 percent support. Candidates of the Democratic Left Alliance would gain 17 percent of the vote, and of the Polish Peasant Party 8.6 percent. 

The projected turnout is just over 47 percent – which is high for local elections.

The local elections are generally seen as a prelude to next year’s parliamentary polls. A survey by the CBOS Institute on the popularity of political parties in the run-up to these elections has brought more or less the same results.

The Civic Platform is well in the lead with a support of  40 percent, followed by Law and Justice with 19 percent of the vote. The remaining two parties to enter Parliament are the Democratic Left Alliance, with 11 percent of the vote, and the Polish Peasant Party – with six percent.

The parliamentary elections are scheduled for the autumn of 2011. (mk)