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Heavy hearts in Poland ahead of vote

19 June 2010 20:47 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Poland goes to the polls on Sunday to choose a new president, in an election enveloped by national tragedy, APA reports quoting euronews.net website.

Voters will decide Sunday on the successor for the late President Lech Kaczynski.

Polandâ€™s presidents carry out many ceremonial functions, but they can also veto laws.

The favourite to win is acting president and parliamentary speaker Bronislaw Kormorowski.

The 58-year-old is the candidate who represents the governing Civic Platform party and has the backing of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

He shares the premierâ€™s pro-business views and wants to end Polandâ€™s presence in Afghanistan as soon as possible.

Running against him is the late presidentâ€™s twin brother, Jaroslaw.

Kaczynski, a former prime minister known for his social conservatism and combative style, opposes joining the euro, fearing it would cause price hikes that would hit the poor hardest.

He is also a fierce critic of Tuskâ€™s plans to cut welfare spending.

The president and first lady were among 96 people killed in a plane crash in western Russia on April 10.

The delegation was en route to a memorial service for Polish prisoners of war killed by Soviet forces 70 years ago.