'Balcerowicz must go'

"I declare today to you, in front of the media, that if I win [the presidency] I will not propose Mr Leszek Balcerowicz's candidacy for another term," Kaczyński said during a rally in Zielona Góra in western Poland. He added that the president of the central bank isn't responsible only for keeping the złoty strong, but also for maintaining economic growth in the country.

The president of the central bank is a hated figure for many who blame his market reforms from the early 1990s for high unemployment. Balcerowicz is not popular among many politicians who oppose his tough anti-inflation stance and unwillingness to cut rates.

Many saw the declaration as an attempt to win the votes of Andrzej Lepper's supporters. Lepper, who received more than 15 percent of votes in the first round of the presidential race, is a firm opponent of Balcerowicz who he often repeats "must go". Kaczyński was trailing Civic Platform's Donald Tusk by around 10 points days before the decisive second round.

Michał Pakulniewicz