by Clifford F. Thies

An almost complete tabulation of the vote shows that the market-liberal Civic Party has finished first, with 39 percent of the vote, well ahead of the conservative Justice Party, which finished with 30 percent.

The Civic Party's current junior partner, the social conservative Peasant's Party, received 9 percent and, together, they would maintain a narrow majority in the Polish parliament.

Palikot's Movement, a centrist, social-liberal party, finished third, with 10 percent. This new party was formed by certain former members of the Civic Party, and has a secularist and libertarian agenda on social issues, e.g., gay rights and legalizing marijuana.

The Left Alliance, a left-wing party, finished fifth, with 8 percent. This party as well as the Civic Party suffered from defections to Palikot's Movement.

It is probable that the Civic Party will simply maintain its current coalition with the Peasant's Party. Nevertheless, it is possible that the Civic Party will explore relations with the other two minor parties represented in the Polish national assembly. On the other hand, it is thought that the Justice Party would not be able work with any of the minor parties.

While Poland's real GDP growth slowed consequent to the global recession, the country avoided falling into a recession, and has in the past year the country returned to a 4 percent growth rate.

Poland is currently running a budget deficit of 6 percent of GDP, about half as bad as the U.S. and the troubled countries of the European periphery (e.g., Greece, Ireland, Italy and Spain). With a resumption of strong economic growth, the country anticipates meeting the EU deficit target next year.