Is the largest and ruling party full of tensions and ready to tear itself apart?

Officially, the Left Democratic Alliance (SLD) enjoys a good relationship with the Church, but this image which was symbolized by a firm handshake between Primate Glemp and the Prime Minister, could be only superficial. It seems that behind the facade strong emotions and anti-clericalism, represented by SLD's secretary general Marek Dyduch, are wrecking havoc. "When a left-wing party is in power the Church only makes demands. They buy us, they terrorize us. They say, we will support you on the issue of EU accession, but they want special regulations in the EU Constitution on religious values," said Dyduch, whose words caused an uproar in the media as well as within the party. SLD members were falling over each other to voice declarations distancing themselves from his words. The political background for this anti-clerical rhetoric is the impending SLD congress and the battle for party posts. The party itself is harassed by internal conflicts and it is experiencing falling popularity ratings. (www.rmf.pl) A.C.