Answering questions put to him by reporters upon his return to Poland on Thursday 16 October, President Lech Kaczynski bemoaned the fact that he had not been able to speak at the European Council on the subject of Georgia, which was the “main reason” for his impromptu attendance there. “I ran as fast as I could”, he said, but “debate on this subject only lasted two minutes”, he confided to journalists, saying that he was outside the building at the time when work on the subject began. Mr Kaczynski arrived at the European Council on Wednesday 15 October after various incidents of a logistic nature and despite the opposition of his government, headed by the leader of the Civic Platform, Donald Tusk, who did not include him in the official Polish delegation. The government and Mr Kaczynski, who is also the twin brother of the president of the major opposition party (PiS), differ over a number of subjects, such as: - ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, advocated by the government; - the climate/energy package initialled by President Kaczynski in March 2007 but whose current form has been challenged by the government due to the significant cost that it would entail for the Polish society and economy; - the designation of Lech Walesa, the Kaczynski brothers' personal enemy, to the EU think-tank; - Poland's adoption of single currency (according to the president, this should be preceded by a referendum); - and the role of the president in formulating the country's foreign policy. The Polish Constitution stipulates it is up to the Council of Ministers to “direct the Polish Republic's internal and foreign policy”. As the highest representative of Poland and guarantor of continuity in public authority, the president is competent when it comes to the ratification (and denunciation) of international agreements (both Houses of Parliament must be informed of this) and the designation of members of the Polish diplomatic body and approval of letters of accreditation of international diplomats. The Constitution also stipulates that, when it comes to foreign policy, the president “cooperates” with the prime minister and relevant ministers. Interpreted differently by government and the president's private office (which considers the president has power of decision on foreign policy), these provisions have given rise to broad debate in Poland. It is now up to the constitutional court to give its stance. (A.By./transl.jl)