Lepper hopes for Russian resolution

The new Agriculture Minster could be ideally placed to reopen the Russian market, as he has excellent contacts with Moscow. "If there is a chance to open up this market, or even a part of it, I will do everything for it," Lepper told Polish public radio. "Even at midnight I will get on a plane to Russia to solve this problem."

If the Minster succeeds he will cement his popularity among rural voters. Russia banned imports of Polish meat and plant products last November, claiming they violated Russian veterinary laws. In Poland, the move was perceived as politically motivated, following Poland's support for Ukraine and the political opposition in Belarus.

Minister Lepper will have to launch a charm offensive on more than the Russian front. The former leader of violent anti-EU protests is now seeking to renegotiate crop production quotas with the bloc. The government also announced a ban on genetically modified (GM) crops, which was grudgingly allowed by Brussels.

Lepper also faces more immediate problems at home. On his first day in office he received a suspended 15-month sentence for slander from the Court of Appeal. Lepper did not show up to hear the verdict, claiming he was too busy reconstructing the government. The Minister was found guilty of slandering Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) and Civic Platform (PO) politicians in 2001, and says he will take the case to the Supreme Court. (Reuters)