More politicians seen leaving parties for new grouping Civic Platform

Janusz Lewandowski, one of Freedom Union's (UW) leading members, yesterday announced that he is leaving the party to join the newly-created Civic Platform (PO). Lewandowski thus became the last of a series of high-ranking politicians - including Jacek Karnowski, head of SKL's Sopot branch, and Solidarity Election Action (AWS) deputies Dorota Arciszewska and Jerzy Budnik - who have recently left their parties in favor of the political grouping. In reaction to the recent departure of several of UW's key members, head of UW's parliamentary club Jerzy Wierchowicz stated that those who have decided to leave the party had not so long ago taken advantage of party money. (Rzeczpospolita, p.A3) A.Z.