Poland's political life was plunged into uncertainty on Monday evening (November 26) when Premier Tadeusz Mazowiecki and his non-Communist administration resigned after 15 months in office.

Speaking on national television, Mazowiecki blamed "lack of support" for Eastern Europe's most ambitious economic reform programme for his decision to step down. He said that he would formally submit his resignation to Parliament this week but would remain caretaker prime minister until his successor Read more

Poland's political life was plunged into uncertainty on Monday evening (November 26) when Premier Tadeusz Mazowiecki and his non-Communist administration resigned after 15 months in office.

Speaking on national television, Mazowiecki blamed "lack of support" for Eastern Europe's most ambitious economic reform programme for his decision to step down. He said that he would formally submit his resignation to Parliament this week but would remain caretaker prime minister until his successor is announced by the winner of next month's presidential contest between Lech Walesa and expatriate businessman Stanislaw Tyminski.

Mazowiecki was pushed into third place by Tyminski in Sunday's (November 25) presidential first round ballot. He had earned international praise for his part in Poland's change to democratic government. Political analysts said his inability to contain inflation, unemployment and austerity turned many voters to the more popular Walesa. The Solidarity trade union, to which both men belonged, was severely damaged by the Walesa-Mazowiecki contest.

Tyminski, who holds dual Canadian-Polish citizenship, spent a considerable amount of his own fortune on his candidacy. Waging a Western-style campaign, he took second place by promising voters to alleviate their economic problems "within a month", and sharply criticising Mazowiecki's administration. Close