Leader of the Solidarity trade union will have talks with opposition Law and Justice party this week on terms of cooperation ahead of local elections this year.

Union leader Janusz Śniadek called for Civic Platform to withdraw from power at the Solidarity congress at the weekend. Rzeczpospolita reports that he will have meetings with Law and Justice leaders on Tuesday to discuss cooperation during elections.

It is thought that Law and Justice will return to emphasising social solidarity this year in election campaigns - a message it is thought brought them to power in 2005. With rising unemployment and cut backs in public services, party leaders hope that Solidarity trade union backing will increase support.

Currently the party trails Civic Platform by over 20 percent in opinion polls. (pg)

Source: IAR