The powerful pair

For those unaccustomed to Polish politics, the current situation is perplexing, and not just when it comes to telling the brothers apart (all the more challenging since Lech shaved the moustache). Indeed, the image of the brothers Kaczyński could prove crucial, especially in the EU. Perhaps they should rely on their coalition partner, Andrzej Lepper, for some help in this department. Since finding himself at the heart of Polish politics, he has taken on the guise of a moderate politician (at least by current Polish standards).

The Kaczyńskis, on the other hand, have won themselves few fans abroad, and Jarosław taking the premiership will hardly improve matters.  First, PiS entered into a coalition with two controversial parties - the League of Polish Families and Self-defence - and thereby raised their controversial leaders to ministerial positions. Recently, Poland became the laughing stock of the international arena when President Kaczyński failed to appear at the Weimar triangle summit, where he was to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Jacques Chirac. The official excuse was Kaczyński's gastric problems, but press speculation that the Polish President was offended by a publication in a German fringe paper refused to go away - and the Polish government threw fuel on the fire when they preposterously demanded an apology from Berlin.

The eccentricities of the Polish President could cost Poland in the future. As a keen historian, Lech Kaczyński should understand the importance of his meeting with Merkel and Chirac a couple of weeks before the G8 summit in Petersburg, where Poland will not be represented, not to mention the trilateral summit of Russian, German and French presidents planned for autumn.

In his cabinet policy speech, Prime Minister Kaczyński promised a more resolute and audacious foreign policy. He's off to a flying start.