A nation mourns - April 2010

A majority of Poles would like to see a return to the solemn atmosphere that united the nation after the death of President Kaczynski and 95 others in the plane crash in western Russia last April.

In a survey for Polish Radio by the Homo Homini Institute, 70 per cent of the respondents say that they would be happy if the families of the victims and politicians, including the president and prime minister, took part in joint celebrations of the first anniversary of the tragic event on 10 April.

According to 22 per cent of the respondents, there should be no official, state ceremony on that day, so as to allow the families of the victims to mark the occasion in peace and quiet, without the participation of the politicians.

The investigation into the causes of the crash and the stand of the Polish government vis a vis Russia on the issue have resulted in deep divisions among Poland’s political elites and society. (mk)