Polish PM to resign
Polish prime minister Leszek Miller has pledged to resign the day after the country joins the European Union on May 1, after succumbing to insurmountable pressures from within his own party.
The decision was precipitated after rebels in the ruling Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) pressed for a leadership change in the wake of record low public support for the government after two and a half years in power.
The former member of Poland’s last communist Politburo told a joint news conference with President Aleksander Kwasniewski on Friday: “If my departure is to serve Poland and Poland’s left, my choice is to resign from leading the government.”
Mr Kwasniewski, SLD leaders and other parties will consult to find a suitable replacement on Monday.
Under Polish law, the president nominates the prime minister who then has to win a vote of confidence in parliament.
Former finance minister Marek Belka has been tipped to assume power.
Other possible candidates include interior minister and former prime
minister Jozef Oleksy and defence minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski.
Mr Miller’s government was the ninth and, arguably, the most unpopular administration since Poland overthrew communism 15 years ago.
