EU commissioner expresses concern over low turnout in Polish elections

European Union (EU) enlargement commissioner Gunther Verheugen has expressed his concern about low voter turnout in Poland's parliamentary elections. In a statement yesterday, Verheugen said the apparent lack of enthusiasm may have been to the advantage of Euro-skeptics and even anti-European factions. He went on, "Fortunately this government will have a strong majority, which will guarantee a continuation of the integration process." Verheugen said he believes that it was domestic issues and not those concerning accession to the EU that dominated the elections and ultimately led to the staggering defeat of the current right-wing government. Gazeta Wyborcza reports that officials in Brussels believe that regardless of its domestic problems Poland, with its 40 million population, should still be in the first group of countries that enter the EU. At the same time the EU officials stress that Poland has some catching up to do in adjusting its legislation to EU laws and standards. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 4; Reuters) M.T.K.