Prime Minister Waldemar Pawlak resigned Wednesday and was replaced by parliament speaker Jozef Oleksy, the first former communist to head Poland's government since the collapse of the Iron Curtain.

President Lech Walesa, dissatisfied with the slow pace of economic reforms and demanding a more effective government, forced Pawlak's 15-month-old Cabinet to offer its resignation on Feb. 7."It was not my own initiative but it is my own choice that I am leaving this post," Pawlak told the Sejm, the powerful lower chamber, in his resignation speech.

Oleksy said he was ready to discuss the Cabinet composition with Walesa "without any unnecessary delay."

Walesa has so far balked at discussing the makeup of a new government with Oleksy, an economist and former Communist Party official who has served as parliament speaker since 1993.

Although Pawlak and Oleksy are both leftists, Walesa is hoping the new government will be more effective.

View Comments

The president, a staunch anti-communist, has been at odds for months with lawmakers over economic policy and taxes. His opponents charge he is trying to disregard the leftist-dominated parliament and force a government of his own liking.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.