Lech Walesa cites inadequate pension as reason for Libertas appearance

Just in from Radio Poland/Polskie Poland http://www.polskieradio.pl/zagranica/news/artykul107531_Poland_and_Russia_mending_ties.html

Former president Lech Wałęsa’s participation in the congress of Declan Ganley’s euroskeptic party, Libertas, has brought about major criticism in Poland, writes Rzeczpospolita. A sociologist from the Institute of Public Affairs quoted by the paper, for one, believes such a step was unbecoming of a member of EU’s group of wise men. He has added that the former president and Solidarity icon cannot simply be hired by anyone. Wałęsa himself has cited financial reasons for attending the congress, explaining that the lifelong compensation as former head of state, which amounts to about 700 euro a month, is insufficient. This turn of events has prompted the ruling Civic Platform to reconsider increasing pensions for former presidents. Other perks given to former presidents for life include 2,500 euro for running an office every month, security services provided by the Government Protection Bureau and the right to medical treatment at the Hospital of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, one of the top hospitals in Poland, writes Rzeczpospolita.