Civic Platform aims to create viable alternative to governing coalition

Andrzej Olechowski, one of the leaders in the Civic Platform (PO) party anno unced at Saturday's party convention that he would compete for the post of p resident of Warsaw. During the convention, which brought together 2,000 part y members, the party announced that the PO and the Law and Justice (PiS) par ty would field some common candidates in the municipal elections. Olechowski also suggested that he would take part in the next presidential election. Ma ciej Plazynski, the PO chief, said that one of the party's main goals is to create an alternative for the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) and Labor Union (UP) coalition, and that the PO must win the municipal elections. He also st rongly criticized the activities of the present government, saying that it l acked courage and was not tough enough in decision-making. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 5) A.D.