Polish parties in European Parliament jostle for committee seats

Bronisław Geremek from the Freedom Union (UW) is running to become the Chairman of the European Parliament with the support of 89 christian democrats and liberals, but it is predicted that his chances are low. The conservatives and socialists have already agreed to vote for Spanish socialist Jose Borrell. "Polish Euro-deputies can only count on one post of a Deputy Chairman and one the chairmanship of one commission," said a source close to the European Parliament. Among Poland's 54 Eurodeputies, those from the right wing parties have the biggest chance for the offices, especially the Civic Platform (PO), which is the fifth largest party in the right-wing parliamentary club. The Polish Family League (LPR) will probably be granted one post of a Deputy Chairman. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 7) D.W.