In the spotlight: Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz
Though only a few months remain in the Sejm's session, Cimoszewicz pledged: "This time must not be wasted." He added that despite this year being an election year, that doesn't mean that "all the country's other problems should be pushed to the side."
Cimoszewicz, a member of the ruling Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), was Prime Minister from February 1996 to October 1997, and is considered a left-leaning moderate.
As Foreign Minister, Cimoszewicz won praise for his part in brokering a peaceful solution to Ukraine's political stand-off last month and was also key in negotiating Poland's membership with the EU.
Although a number of scandals and allegations of corruption have ruined many of the party's leaders and deflated its popularity, Cimoszewicz has remained relatively clean. Since he will play a leading role in setting the lower house's legislative agenda, the SLD believes having Cimoszewicz as Sejm Speaker will revitalize the party's image ahead of parliamentary elections, which are expected in June.
The position will also give him wider media exposure, and many believe he could use it as a springboard to run for president in elections that are due in late 2005. Cimoszewicz says he's not interested.
He will be replaced in his former position of Foreign Minister by his deputy Adam Rotfeld. Rotfeld headed the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute for two terms between 1991-2002 before joining the foreign ministry. (A.K., Reuters)
Cimoszewicz, a member of the ruling Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), was Prime Minister from February 1996 to October 1997, and is considered a left-leaning moderate.
As Foreign Minister, Cimoszewicz won praise for his part in brokering a peaceful solution to Ukraine's political stand-off last month and was also key in negotiating Poland's membership with the EU.
Although a number of scandals and allegations of corruption have ruined many of the party's leaders and deflated its popularity, Cimoszewicz has remained relatively clean. Since he will play a leading role in setting the lower house's legislative agenda, the SLD believes having Cimoszewicz as Sejm Speaker will revitalize the party's image ahead of parliamentary elections, which are expected in June.
The position will also give him wider media exposure, and many believe he could use it as a springboard to run for president in elections that are due in late 2005. Cimoszewicz says he's not interested.
He will be replaced in his former position of Foreign Minister by his deputy Adam Rotfeld. Rotfeld headed the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute for two terms between 1991-2002 before joining the foreign ministry. (A.K., Reuters)
