- Title: POLAND: Polish presidential race set for close finish
- Date: 22nd October 2005
- Summary: INTERIORS OF ONE OF THE CASTLE'S HALL, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DONALD TUSK ARRIVING SUPPORTERS AND PARTY ACTIVISTS/DONALD TUSK SUPPORTERS APPLAUDING
- Embargoed: 6th November 2005 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Poland
- Country: Poland
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA2OE4DUJPSTB0G1OY0NQGB165H
- Story Text: Moderate Donald Tusk and conservative rival Lech Kaczynski were running neck and neck on Friday (October 21) as Poland prepared for Sunday's (October 23) presidential run-off which may decide the pace of economic reforms.
Voters will choose whether European Union newcomer Poland speeds up market reforms to try to catch up with richer partners, or strengthens welfare protection eroded during 16 years of often painful reforms.
The result will also tip the balance in a probable ruling coalition between Kaczynski's Law and Justice party and Tusk's pro-business Civic Platform, which crushed the scandal-tainted ruling left in last month's parliamentary election.
Opinion polls published on Friday (October 20) showed Kaczynski has effectively caught up with long-time frontrunner Tusk, a free market enthusiast who led by 10 points just a week ago.
Tusk won 36.3 percent of the vote in the first round two weeks ago, 3.2 points ahead of Kaczynski.
One survey showed Kaczynski a fraction ahead and two other surveys gave Tusk a 4-6 point lead -- which with the polls' standard margin of error of around three percent mean that the presidential race was wide open.
Kaczynski, 56, promises a clear break from post-communist Poland under the banner of the "Fourth Republic", "moral renewal" and a return to Christian values.
"I think the Poles will not fell they choose between two products of political marketing but between two real people, Donald Tusk and myself. I hope I will be the one they will choose," Kaczynski told his supporters at his last pre-election meeting.
Soft-spoken Tusk, 48, paints himself as a force of modernisation who can unite Poles, mend rocky relations with big neighbours Germany and Russia and anchor the nation of 38 million in the European mainstream.
"On Sunday when you cast your vote in the presidential elections, we will give Poland a chance to make the best of our presence in the European Union, will give millions of Poles a new chance, a chance to all those who look for jobs, those who think of the future of their children and grandchildren, the unemployed and the entrepreneurs, Polish farmers, Polish workers, all those who work and want to feel secure in Poland," Tusk told supporters before the campaign ended.
There is a media blackout on campaign news on Saturday (October 22). Polling stations are open between 0400-1800 GMT on Sunday with first exit polls expected when voting ends and official results due on Monday (October 24).
Both men trace their roots to the Solidarity movement which toppled communism in 1989.
Whoever wins will have considerable powers as commander-in-chief and a voice in foreign policy. The president can also propose and veto legislation, nominate prime ministers and, in some circumstances, dissolve parliament. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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