The Pop Idol
The First Lady stands head and shoulders above all potential presidential candidates in public opinion polls. In a word, Mr Kwaśniewski is cool no more, Mrs Kwaśniewska rules, if only the hearts of the nation. Sycophants will soon find that comparisons with Hillary Rodham Clinton do not suffice any longer and that Lady Diana will become the new model for the "future president."
The situation clearly calls for action on the part of the president, if he has not yet resigned himself to retirement on a comfy sofa in the back room of his current residence just two years from now. That is the likely reason for a flurry of activity on his part in recent weeks. Seeing as his wife has become the country's most popular politician by not engaging in politics, instead patronizing cultural events and charitable causes, Aleksander Kwaśniewski has opted to display his own skills as an entertainer.
"Sure I can appear before the (parliamentary) commission of investigation," he said in reference to calls for him to share his extensive knowledge of the Rywingate affair with the public. "I can even sing and dance." While his remark might suggest that he mistook the commission's televised proceedings for the popular "Pop Idol" TV show, the president did not stop there. Apparently, he now intends to take this act on the road, promising a tour of the country ahead of next year's elections to the European Parliament. To be fair, the latter announcement looks like a former great making a desperate attempt to save a waning career.
In a situation like that, it is crucial for the star to secure a decent supporting act. But that is precisely where the president runs into difficulty. His idea for an independent list for the European Parliament, which would provide an alternative to the discredited parties, has met with a warm response from the public as well as from a number of politicians who are clearly unelectable without presidential support.
Kwaśniewski has, however, failed to secure any declarations from top politicians or organizations to help organize the European elections challenge. From Włodzimierz Czarzasty, a National Broadcasting Council (KRRiTV) member widely suspected of being involved in the Rywingate affair, to former foreign minister Bronisław Geremek, known for his crystal-clear personal credentials and sanctimonious lectures, many politicians are willing to run on the ticket bearing the presidential stamp. But while Aleksander Kwaśniewski expects them to organize the show, which he would merely front, it now seems that he will have to do all the footwork himself.
"Had there been a real interest in this sort of an initiative, I would have had seven serious organizations knocking on my door," the president whinged. Perhaps they are too busy being entertained by the First Lady.
The situation clearly calls for action on the part of the president, if he has not yet resigned himself to retirement on a comfy sofa in the back room of his current residence just two years from now. That is the likely reason for a flurry of activity on his part in recent weeks. Seeing as his wife has become the country's most popular politician by not engaging in politics, instead patronizing cultural events and charitable causes, Aleksander Kwaśniewski has opted to display his own skills as an entertainer.
"Sure I can appear before the (parliamentary) commission of investigation," he said in reference to calls for him to share his extensive knowledge of the Rywingate affair with the public. "I can even sing and dance." While his remark might suggest that he mistook the commission's televised proceedings for the popular "Pop Idol" TV show, the president did not stop there. Apparently, he now intends to take this act on the road, promising a tour of the country ahead of next year's elections to the European Parliament. To be fair, the latter announcement looks like a former great making a desperate attempt to save a waning career.
In a situation like that, it is crucial for the star to secure a decent supporting act. But that is precisely where the president runs into difficulty. His idea for an independent list for the European Parliament, which would provide an alternative to the discredited parties, has met with a warm response from the public as well as from a number of politicians who are clearly unelectable without presidential support.
Kwaśniewski has, however, failed to secure any declarations from top politicians or organizations to help organize the European elections challenge. From Włodzimierz Czarzasty, a National Broadcasting Council (KRRiTV) member widely suspected of being involved in the Rywingate affair, to former foreign minister Bronisław Geremek, known for his crystal-clear personal credentials and sanctimonious lectures, many politicians are willing to run on the ticket bearing the presidential stamp. But while Aleksander Kwaśniewski expects them to organize the show, which he would merely front, it now seems that he will have to do all the footwork himself.
"Had there been a real interest in this sort of an initiative, I would have had seven serious organizations knocking on my door," the president whinged. Perhaps they are too busy being entertained by the First Lady.
