Editor's note: The silence after the storm

The parliamentary campaign is proceeding in a rather calm manner - although as per usual there is no shortage of empty phrases and loose promises. But this is the normal procedure and big surprises are probably not to be expected.

The presidential race is a totally different story. For the first time in the history of free Poland we are dealing with a withdrawal of a candidate that was once the front-runner. Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz, who we mention quite often in this week's edition, withdrew last week from the presidential race in the wake of a flood of charges that he had consciously provided false information in his wealth declaration. It is a bitter political pill to swallow for both Cimoszewicz, who turned out to not be a serious candidate, and the voters, who for a while let him wind them up. They believed that the man really wanted to be the President of Poland and that he will fight for the office in a manner worthy of a man of state.

His entrée in the presidential race induced very promising poll results. Then, matters only got worse. His political opponents pointed to his dishonesty in a rather rude and rustic manner. For Cimoszewicz, whose entire campaign was based on the "clean hands" slogan, these charges turned out to be lethal. Out of control, more and more often he reacted in an arrogant and aggressive way, devoid of the class that is expected from any president.

In the end - clearly grumpy and gutted - he announced his withdrawal from the electoral campaign. If, as he claims, the charges were unfounded, why did he withdraw so quickly? Why didn't he defend his stance and honesty?

Luckily, the presidential candidate that had once been a leader in pre-electoral polls turned out not to be a serious contender before the voters actually cast their votes. He proved that he could not be trusted and that his participation in the presidential race was part of a political game - when he stops enjoying it he just picks up his toys and goes home.

Eliza Durka
Editor-in-chief