Poland’s presidential election is finally under way following the death of the country’s last president, Lech Kaczynski, in a plane crash two months ago. Acting President Bronislaw Komorowski was the favorite going in, expected to defeat the late president’s twin brother, Jaroslaw Kaczynski.

The new president will take over at a time of key decisions for Poland, including integration into the euro zone, ending the unpopular mission in Afghanistan and carrying out market reforms. — JCL

The Guardian:

Voting is under way in Poland’s presidential elections, more than two months after the country’s last president, Lech Kaczynski, was killed in a plane crash.

The late president’s identical twin brother, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, faces an uphill battle to defeat the favourite, acting president Bronislaw Komorowski, despite a recent surge in sympathy for him.

The outcome is expected to shape Poland’s stance on issues such as the adoption of the euro, welfare reform and its mission in Afghanistan.

Poland is the only European Union country to have avoided recession during the global economic downturn. The election will also determine how it reacts to the new debt crisis.

Read more

WAIT BEFORE YOU GO...

This year, the ground feels uncertain — facts are buried and those in power are working to keep them hidden. Now more than ever, independent journalism must go beneath the surface.

At Truthdig, we don’t just report what's happening — we investigate how and why. We follow the threads others leave behind and uncover the forces shaping our future.

Your tax-deductible donation fuels journalism that asks harder questions and digs where others won’t.

Don’t settle for surface-level coverage.

Unearth what matters. Help dig deeper.

Donate now.

SUPPORT TRUTHDIG