Conservative Solidarity bloc suffers further blow as liberal wing defects to OP

The Conservative-Peasants Party (SKL), the liberal wing and one of four main pillars of the ruling Solidarity bloc, chose yesterday to leave Solidarity Election Action (AWS), defecting to the newly created centrist grouping Citizens' Platform (PO). An SKL deputy explained his party's move unofficially stating that its hopes to gain more influence on decision making processes within the bloc after the resignation of Marian Krzaklewski had not materialized. SKL said however that in the run up to parliamentary elections, due by October, its members heading the agriculture and defense ministries would continue to support Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek's minority government. Despite the party's decision, six out of 20 of SKL's deputies, including former Culture Minister Kazimierz Ujazdowski, have decided to remain in AWS. Political observers say other AWS members, such as Polish Christian Democratic Party (PPChD) leaders or Janusz Tomaszewski, are more likely to follow the lead of most SKL deputies. Analysts say SKL's departure is likely to push AWS further to the right before the elections, yielding more power to religious and nationalistic entities. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p.1,4; Reuters) M.K.