No-one wants to be right when it comes to seating arrangements in the Sejm

A problem has arisen over the allocation of seating in the new Sejm, caused by the reluctance of any party to be described as truly rightist. The seats on the left side of the chamber are traditionally taken by leftist parties, in this case the ruling Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) and Labor Union (UP) coalition. However, no party was willing to take the seats on the extreme ri ght, since none would admit to being the most rightist in terms of views. Ev entually, the Polish Families Association (LPR) was forced to take the seats , as it is the smallest party in the Sejm and as such has little bargaining power. Law and Justice (PiS) will occupy seats slightly more to the center, followed by Civic Platform (PO). Interestingly, SLD-UP members will not be s itting next to their coalition partners, the Polish Peasants Party (PSL). In between them they will have the radical peasant movement Samoobrona. Comment ing on the separation of the coalition partners, deputy leader of the PSL, M arek Sawicki, said, "Sometimes it's good to have a break from one another." (Gazeta Wyborcza, Oct. 13-14, p. 4) T.J.