Free Republic

Poland inaugurates conservative president Lech Kaczynski was sworn in as Poland’s 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.

Liberal, conservative to fight it out for Polish presidency. WARSAW (AFP) - Polish voters confirmed their shift to the right as they handed Donald Tusk of the centre-right Civic Platform party a lead over his main rival for the presidency, Warsaw's conservative mayor Lech Kaczynski, in an election. But neither Tusk nor Kaczynski, whom exit polls credited with around 38.5 percent and 33 percent respectively, had enough votes to claim victory in the first round of the election, exit polls showed. The two will have to fight it out to succeed centre-left President Aleksander Kwasniewski in a run-off on October...