The Poles had a Presidential election

but did anyone care? Former President Lech Walesa was disappointed with the turnout. The country has a high rate of unemployment. You'd think that would bring the people to the polls. Or again maybe that's why they stayed away. The Polish people felt the election didn't matter.

Don't get me wrong, I like Poland. Spent over two weeks there with dear wife in 2000. We got to even meet the Polish PM or President while we were in Hel. DW had her photo taken with him. I'm just saying there is very often a good reason for voter apathy.

Hat tip- Poliblog
Trackbacks- Basil's Blog and Bright&Early

Free market advocate Donald Tusk has a slender lead in Poland's presidential election with almost all votes counted, but a second round will be necessary.

Latest figures give Mr Tusk 35.8%, with the other centre-right contender Lech Kaczynski on 33.3%.

But with neither candidate near the required 50% majority needed for outright victory, a second round will be held in two weeks' time.

Ten other candidates are all trailing well behind the two front-runners.

The turnout was just under 50%, prompting former President Lech Walesa to complain that Poles were wasting the reforms he battled for in the 1980s as the leader of the Solidarity trade union.

"When I fought for democracy, I thought my compatriots would use it, but now I wonder - what was all this suffering for, these searches, beatings, arrests?" he said.

Mr Tusk, 48, said that he was "proud of the result and proud of Poland", while Mr Kaczynski, 56, for his part was "certain that in the long run we will win".

Both men must try to win the support of voters who backed the candidates who will be eliminated from the second round. Analysts say the votes of the third-placed candidate, populist Andrzej Lepper who polled 15.6%, may well benefit Mr Kaczynski.

Mr Kaczynski is also likely to attract conservative Catholics and nationalists, while Mr Tusk's strong pro-EU stance makes him more attractive to moderates and liberals.

Mr Tusk's Civic Platform and Mr Kaczynski's Law and Justice Party were also neck-and-neck in parliamentary elections held a fortnight ago.

The two parties have started negotiations on forming a coalition in parliament.