In the spotlight: Aleksander Kwaśniewski
Kwaśniewski refused to testify before a special commission investigating political corruption charges connected to PKN Orlen, Poland's largest fuel producer. While the President may be right in saying the hearing would turn into a political bombing by his opponents on the commission, the opposition is feasting on Kwaśniewski nevertheless, holding up his last minute change of mind is proof of guilt.
But while domestic quarrels may dominate the local news, Kwaśniewski has the world to think of as well. Last week's decision to attend celebrations in Moscow of the end of The Second World War aroused controversy. The Russian policy of dubbing the beginning of communist rule in Central Europe a "glorious liberation" is improper at best, and several heads of state, such as President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus, have already rejected the invitation.
Indeed, these are difficult days for Aleksander Kwaśniewski, who throughout the nine years of his presidency has so far managed to accent firmly unifying causes whilst avoiding divisions. His carefully weighed decisions have brought acceptance from former colleagues in the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) and tolerance from some opposing circles, though also earning the current resident of the Presidential Palace the reputation of being passive.
Kwaśniewski has cut ties with his Communist Party past and is trying on an image of ideological indifference. As any head of state in his last term, Kwaśniewski must consider how history will judge him, but with his political career not necessarily at its end, he must consider how the people will judge him as well. B.K.
But while domestic quarrels may dominate the local news, Kwaśniewski has the world to think of as well. Last week's decision to attend celebrations in Moscow of the end of The Second World War aroused controversy. The Russian policy of dubbing the beginning of communist rule in Central Europe a "glorious liberation" is improper at best, and several heads of state, such as President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus, have already rejected the invitation.
Indeed, these are difficult days for Aleksander Kwaśniewski, who throughout the nine years of his presidency has so far managed to accent firmly unifying causes whilst avoiding divisions. His carefully weighed decisions have brought acceptance from former colleagues in the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) and tolerance from some opposing circles, though also earning the current resident of the Presidential Palace the reputation of being passive.
Kwaśniewski has cut ties with his Communist Party past and is trying on an image of ideological indifference. As any head of state in his last term, Kwaśniewski must consider how history will judge him, but with his political career not necessarily at its end, he must consider how the people will judge him as well. B.K.
