Polish ruling twins crave power like Putin: rivals

By Adam Jasser

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland's opposition accused the ruling Kaczynski twins on Wednesday of imitating Russian President Vladimir Putin in their quest to strengthen their grip on power after a snap election on October 21.

Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said this week he would seek support in the next parliament to change the constitution to give more powers to the nation's president, currently his twin brother Lech.

"These proposals are a disgrace," Wojciech Oleniczak, leader of the Left and Centre alliance told a news conference. "It seems the prime minister is imitating Putin."

Putin said this week he could become prime minister after leaving office later this year, raising suspicions he might change the Russian constitution to keep power in his hands.

The constitutional changes that Kaczynski seeks in the former Soviet bloc nation, which is now in the European Union, would make it easier for the president to dissolve parliament and rule by decree.

Such changes would also weaken the Constitutional Tribunal, which has struck down a number of controversial laws the government passed since coming to power in 2005.

The Kaczynskis already wield great power in Poland, the only democratic country where two top posts are held not only within one party but within one family.

But even though the president does not face re-election until 2010, the twins could lose control of the government in the election. Opinion polls show the combined opposition forces are well ahead of their Law and Justice party.

The Kaczynskis could also struggle to push their constitutional proposals through the next parliament since they would require two-thirds backing and support of a broad coalition -- unlikely given the acrimony between them and rivals.

DEMOCRACY IN DANGER?

The proposals are likely to reignite accusations they are gradually undermining Poland's democracy.

The opposition, and some outside observers, say the brothers may weaken the checks and balances expected in a more established democracy, citing their criticism of judges, attacks on independent media and appointment of party faithful to state firms.

The Kaczynskis say they are merely trying to make the state efficient and dismantle a "network" that has reaped undue benefits in the post-communist transformation.

The brothers have also tapped into nostalgia among poorer, less educated Poles for single party rule and a strong leader who could bring order to the often turbulent political scene.

Comparisons to Putin are likely to jar on the pro-U.S. Kaczynskis, who do not hide their suspicion of Moscow.