ZChN shocked by selection of new party leader sidelines Krzaklewski's bid

At its national convention the Christian National Union (ZChN) chose deputy Sejm speaker Stanislaw Zajac as its new leader, replacing Marian Pilka. Zajac's close victory (190 votes to 186) was quite a surprise and was said to be a result of Pilka's lack of team-player skills. "He always consulted with only a few politicians. The rest felt undervalued," said an anonymous ZChN Sejm deputy. During the convention the party was supposed to declare its support for Solidarity Election Action (AWS) leader Marian Krzaklewski in the Presidential elections. However, as ZChN politician Jacek Kurski said, "The change of party head was such a shock, nobody thought about the presidential elections." (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 4) T.J.