Head of SLD club, Jerzy Jaskiernia, steps down

The management of the party has recommended current Interior Minister Krzysztof Janik for his replacement. Such a decision will lead to additional personnel changes within the government, although Prime Minister Leszek Miller did not want to reveal yesterday who will take the seat of the new Interior Minister. It is speculated that the most probable candidacy is that of Andrzej Barcikowski, the current head of the Internal Security Agency (ABW). Janik will not only manage the club but also strengthen it by supporting the SLD general secretary Marek Dyduch in his duties. Jaskiernia told the press that he has resigned from running the club as he plans to submit his candidacy to the European Parliament. According to an anonymous member of the SLD, the main reason for his dismissal, however, was his alleged role in the lobbying affair related to the gambling bill. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, A4; Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 1) A.K.