Aleksander Kwasniewski’s statement in support of the Nord Stream has caused a stir in Poland, writes RZECZPOSPOLITA.
Presented by Aleksander Kropiwnicki
We often inform about controversies concerning the Baltic gas pipeline, or Nord Stream, which is to deliver gas from Russia straight to Germany, by-passing Poland. Practically all Polish politicians have been strongly against the idea, which makes this country vulnerable to future energy blackmailing. However, as RZECZPOSPOLITA informs, former Polish president Aleksander Kwasniewski, an ex-communist, supports the Nord Stream. In his recent interview with German website Der Westen, he said that Poland should join the enterprise instead of opposing it. Both Civic Platform, a liberal party now ruling Poland, and Law and Justice, the conservative opposition, have already condemned Kwasniewski for the interview damaging for Poland’s national interest.
Polish politicians are making this country a banana republic, claims a columnist of the FAKT daily. Conservative president Lech Kaczynski and the liberal government are in a row and their domestic fights influence Poland’s international relations. For example, the president and the government present two different positions regarding the American anti-missile shield, to be (or not to be) situated on the Polish soil. Envoys of both sides – both Polish sides – travel to the US with two different messages. The Americans would be silly if they didn’t try to use the opportunity to gain as much as possible for peanuts, says the columnist.
Polish city and Polish countryside used to be two different planets. It has changed rapidly, writes GAZETA WYBORCZA. Now each peasant, or should we rather say: farmer has a car, TV, internet access. His children wear clothes which are available both in Warsaw and small towns. Unlike in the past, just eight per cent of students of provincial schools dream about moving to a big city. In opinion polls, 40 per cent declare that they would love to stay in their village forever. At the same time, inhabitants of the Polish cities, exhausted and frustrated, dream about some relaxation and often decide to move to the countryside. Also, prices in the cities are higher and life dangerous, claims the newspaper.
Poland’s economy is flourishing, Polski zloty appreciating, Poles’ wages increasing, and the results sometimes amazing, writes DZIENNIK. German, not Polish companies are now signing contracts for building roads in Poland, because they are cheaper. Moreover, they refuse to work with the local workers, they prefer to bring their own employees from Germany. Why? Because the Germans are cheaper! We should add that after 2004, when all young Poles seemed to be keen to go abroad, there was a theory that the Polish roads would be rather built by the Chinese. It was wrong, however. Apparently, it’s not about won-ton soup, it’s about schnitzel and apfelstrudel.