Word: lech
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Tidying up after revolutions, even bloodless ones, can be messy. In Poland last week, Solidarity leader Lech Walesa attempted to fire Adam Michnik, editor in chief of the union's daily newspaper, Gazeta Wyborca. Feeling increasingly left out of the government that he helped create, Walesa is seeking to become the country's President; his sacking of Michnik is seen as nothing but a vain attempt to show that he is still capable of exerting power. But Michnik refused to step down, telling Walesa: "You are slowly changing into a Caesar...
...roller coaster ride into the future could turn even more stomach churning if the split within Solidarity itself precipitates a political crisis. Trade-union leader Lech Walesa, who has made no secret of his presidential ambitions, has been pushing for elections even earlier than next year, which is when the government proposes they be held. But Prime Minister Tadeusz Mazowiecki opposes moving up the date, arguing that a campaign now would distract attention from economic reforms...
...star turn at the talks on German unification, then a photo op with Lech Walesa. Now there's a boomlet of stories about his presidential potential. He's able to combine delicate diplomacy with media massaging...
After skillfully leading his country's march toward democracy for a decade, Lech Walesa suddenly seems out of step with the times. Last week Walesa stumbled badly when he admitted publicly for the first time that he wanted to be Poland's President and proposed that elections be held as soon as possible. "I confirm," he responded cryptically but clearly to a question about his candidacy. "It is necessary to speed up the pace of reform and demolish the old structures...
...INVITE LECH AND TADEUSZ TO THE SAME PARTY. Most Poles realize that Solidarity cannot go on being all things to all people: trade union, political party, shaper of the country's future. But hopes that the breakup would be amicable now look unlikely. The problem stems from an old hero. Lech Walesa wants to be President by forcing an early election. But most Solidarity legislators seem to prefer remaining in government and Prime Minister Tadeusz Mazowiecki. Even though his drastic economic reforms have cut living standards as much as 40%, polls of Poles show that he is more popular than...