Posted on 12/23/2005 9:56:58 AM PST by lizol
Poland inaugurates conservative president
Lech Kaczynski was sworn in as Polands new president today, completing the rise to power of conservative leaders who pledged to fight corruption, boost the economy and distance the country from its communist past.
I solemnly swear to observe the constitution and to protect the freedom and independence of Poland, Kaczynski said as he took his oath of office in parliament.
He ended with so help me God an optional phrase skipped by his ex-communist predecessor, Aleksander Kwasniewski.







With mother













Rather social.
Very moving, especially Lech Walesa wiping away a tear. I thought as I looked through them that we have lived through a momentous time in history. The freedom of the Eastern European countries through the courage and determination of their citizens, is so inspiring. Thank you for sharing these lovely images.
ping
Dzieki for the pictures. The shot of Lech wiping away the tear was very moving. This day truly marks the fulfillment of everything Solidarnosc fought for.
That's one British newspaper, which I thought was one of the more "conservative" ones. I guess I thought wrong.
Mery Christmas everyone!
You could characterize it as conservative, but it is unfortunately very secular. It has gone the way of most cultural organs in the U.K.
" According to the Times, Catholicism seems to be the worst thing that can happen. "
So much for the Times then.
Good news bump.
Mr Kwasniewski is a solarium-tanned, multilingual, tennis-playing statesman who sees himself as a liberal European social democrat. His successor rarely travels abroad, not even on holiday so far only to Italy and has a knack of scrapping with the neighbour ..... Mr Kaczynskis views on social and domestic issues and indeed on Russia are mocked by Polands metropolitan elite, but they strike a chord in the provinces.
Outstanding! The antithesis of jetsetting Kwasniewski. Kwasniewski will become a "friend of Bill" in no time. Pres Kaczynski sounds like a humble man without pretensions. I like him already.
Mr Kaczynskis twin brother, Jaroslaw, is the leader of the right-wing Law and Justice party and the true power behind the Prime Minister, Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz. Together they make up a national-conservative axis at the centre of Polish politics that will harden social attitudes at home, give the country a stronger Roman Catholic profile and make it tougher in negotiations with Russia and within the European Union. Although the twins do not speak English, they favour closer ties with Washington and London and are likely to argue in favour of keeping Polish troops in Iraq.
I am for tolerance but against propagating homosexuality
We will see the full disintegration of the Russian empire and distance ourselves from the Russian threat
Poland should belong to the six most powerful countries in Europe . . . and Russia will have to take us seriously
The Poles well deserve such stature. They are the smartest, most devout people on earth. All that is good and true about Europe may well find it's way back into European life through the Poles. It certainly won't happen by means of the atheist EU.
History does not show a relationship between physical stature and political skill (Mr Kaczynski is 5ft 5in)
Boy, when you Poles are done with him, can we naturalize him and run him for Pres here?
Excellent. I want to go to Poland next summer. I hope they welcome Americans.
lol. The Times just doesn't get it do they?.
Good for Poland. Who cares if it causes alienation of the rest of EU.
May God continue to Bless our Polish allies.
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