New Polish president

European leaders have recognized a new political ally in Bronislaw Komorowski, the winner of Sunday's presidential election in Poland.

Komorowski narrowly edged Jaroslaw Kaczynski in the run-off election that followed the first round of voting on June 20. Kaczynski is the twin brother of Poland's late president Lech Kaczynski, who died in a plane crash on April 10.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel wished Komorowski the best on Monday afternoon in a congratulatory letter, saying she looked forward to deepening the close relationship between Germany and Poland and working together with Komorowski "for a good future in a united Europe."

French President Nicolas Sarkozy pledged his full support to Komorowski in a written message and hoped for regular personal talks between the two.

Observers believe Komorowski's election will improve ties between the three countries of the so-called Weimar triangle: Poland, Germany, and France. The annual meetings of the Weimar triangle were originally established in 1991 as a means of preparing Poland for European Union membership but have since shifted focus to foster political dialogue between the three countries.

A vote for the EU

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso sent a similar note to Komorowski.

"I'm sure that under your presidency, Poland will continue to be strongly prosperous and a positive force for developing democracy in the European Union," wrote Barroso.

Komorowski's victory is also being seen as bringing Poland a step closer to membership in the eurozone. The country's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has long been for Poland's admission to the EU and the eurozone, but faced opposition from the late president Lech Kaczynski. Komorowski is a member of Tusk's Civic Platform party, which will now have one year of control in government and the presidency before the next parliamentary elections.

Author: Matt Zuvela (dpa, AP, AFP)
Editor: Chuck Penfold