Flood waters may decide outcome of Polish elections

The flooding of the Oder and Vistua rivers in Poland has already inundated almost 20 municipalities and claimed 16 lives. Following the death of Polish President Lech Kaczyński this new emergency situation is altering Poland's political landscape ahead of the presidential elections in June, writes the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "The contestants with the best prospects are Lech Kaczyński's brother Jarosław and the Speaker of Parliament Bronisław Komorowski, who has also been acting president since April 10. Although the reserve imposed on Komorowski in his capacity as president was seen as a burden at first, it is now giving him a distinct advantage.  Like former Chancellor Schröder during the flooding of the Elbe in 2002, Komorowski can make appearances as a caring father figure in the flooded areas, whereas a visit by Kaczyński would just be seen as bothersome. Nevertheless the sympathy points he can win in this way could be easily lost if the floods make it necessary to declare a state of emergency, as the elections would then have to be postponed. For that reason the government is doing everything it can to alleviate the plight of the flood victims and maintain Komorowski's lead."

» more information (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Elections, » Poland
All available articles from » Stefan Dietrich

» To the complete press review of Thursday, May 27, 2010