WARSAW, Poland, March 29 (UPI) -- Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski favors Marek Belka as the next Polish prime minister, an official said Monday.
Belka is currently a top economic adviser in the U.S.-led administration in Iraq. He is also a former Polish finance minister.
Prime Minister Leszek Miller tendered his resignation Friday in the wake of a brewing crisis in his party caused by a catastrophic decline in popularity. Miller's government has been hit by corruption scandals and a rise in unemployment to more than 20 percent.
The Polish president has the right to name a candidate of his choice for the premiership but his decision must be ratified by parliament. Though Belka is a respected figure, it is not clear whether he has sufficient support in parliament to take power.
Miller said he would step down on May 2, the day after Poland joins the European Union.
