PSL joins local gov't alliance with right wing in last minute snub at SLD

Representatives of the Polish Peasants Party (PSL) who are members of the regional council (Sejmik) of the Mazowieckie voivodship, revoked their earlier announcement to enter into a coalition with the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD). Instead, the party signed an agreement to cooperate with Law and Justice (PiS), the Polish Family League (LPR) and the Civic Platform (PO). Adam Struzik (PSL) was declared the new speaker of the voivodship. Wlodzimierz Nieporet, the head negotiator of SLD in the regional council said, "I was surprised. I was due to meet with Struzik on Tuesday morning, however, five minutes before the meeting, he announced plans to work with right wing parties." According to SLD representatives the decision is a political demonstration and a tit-for-tat reaction against the SLD entering into an alliance with Self-Defense in other regional councils. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A4) A.K.