The  first major scandal to hit the coalition government led by Donald Tusk since it came to power in 2007 has shaken public support.

Click on the audio icon above to listen to the report by Agnieszka Bielawska.

The 'Blackjack gate' which rocked the political scene in Poland in the past few days and led to dismissals and resignations in the cabinet of Donald Tus, has also influenced public opinion polls. Discrepancies between the polls are large, some show that the ruling Civic Platform has lost from four to six percent in popularity ratings , while the opposition Law and Justice gained from by some four percent.

The Civic Platform is still in the lead but ratings of the opposition seem to be improving. Similarly support for PM Donald Tusk as candidate for the head of state in next year’s elections , also varies. A weakened Donald Tusk could encourage other politicians to enter the race.