There were many twists and turns, but finally Poland's next president has been chosen – and Poles have made the right choice in electing Sejm Speaker Bronisław Komorowski.

Mr Komorowski's vision for Poland differed significantly from his opponent's – his was a forward-looking vision, a vision of a modern Poland which interacts with other countries on the global stage as a responsible member of the international community. He envisions a Poland where there is less state interference in peoples' lives and in business, and where entrepreneurship and foreign investment are encouraged and rewarded.

The majority of voters in this election weren't convinced by Mr Kaczyński's moderate rhetoric, or that he had really changed his backward-looking tune. Under his government in 2006-2007, Poland chose conflict over partnership with Germany, Russia and the EU. His government preferred hunting for suspected communist agents rather than for investors. Voters yesterday remained unconvinced that his outlook would be any different in his capacity as president. Such an outcome could have meant more hurdles in the way of much-needed reform.


Just the beginning

This newspaper disagrees with those who say Civic Platform's (PO) three years in power have so far been wasted – important budget cuts and belt tightening have been put in place, as have some streamlining of the judiciary and state institutions. Privatization continues apace, and Poland has gained new respect from its international partners.

But this is only the beginning for PO and Mr Komorowski. The changes made so far have been small-scale and incomplete. Much more needs to be done. Top of the list should be reform of Poland's creaking health care system – some public hospitals must be commercialized (or even privatized, though Mr Komorowski says he opposes this solution). Next up should be a further streamlining of the judicial system – conflicts still take far too long to resolve. More cuts must be made to Poland's bloated budget if the country is to maintain its finances at a sustainable level and enter the euro zone as soon as possible. The retirement age should rise – some special early retirement benefits have been cut, but these reforms are still a long way from solving the insolvency of Poland's social security system. Public media must also, finally, be reformed.

The list goes on. Now, voters have removed PO's well-worn excuse that an obstructionist president has blocked their reforms. It must now act. Elections are coming up next year, and it would be a shame if the opposition could continue to make the argument that the PO government has not accomplished anything significant – even with their man in the Presidential Palace.

The temptation to not rock the boat before these elections is great – but it would be a huge disappointment. Better to make the reforms Poland needs and have something to show the voters, than to hold back in the hopes of not angering a portion of the electorate.

There is much to be done. PO must now get to work.

What a mess. A seige is underway at Kupieckie Dom Towarowy - a glorified shack with shopstands built on one of the best pieces of real estate in Warsaw: at Plac Defilad right next to the Palace of Culture and Science.

Police are trying to evict shopkeepers at KDT, so that the buiding can be demolished. New construction is due to start there soon - on a new subway station and a museum of modern art.

The prefabricated aluminum shelter was never meant to be a permanent structure anyway, but the shopkeepers are loth to give up their prime spot in Warsaw. They were notified many months ago that this day would be coming, and they are now refusing to leave. They complain that there is nowhere for them to go. A new shopping hall is to be erected for them only around 2012.

The police and shopkeepers are scuffling. The police are dressed in riot gear, and have thrown tear gas into the building. For their part, the shopkeepers continue to resist, with some standing on top of the building as I write this, waving flags in defiance.

KDT should go. It is an ugly building in a prime location in Warsaw. It is an architectural embarrassment and an eyesore.

Still, one wonders whether this couldn't have been handled better. Plans for the station and the museum had been in the pipeline for a long time ... why must the shopkeepers wait until 2012 to get back to their livelihoods? Couldn't a similar structure have been built in a more appropriate place in Warsaw a lot sooner? Couldn't work on it have been started earlier?

It will be interesting to see how this pans out - whether it counts as another black eye for the ruling party (the Mayor of Warsaw is a member of Civic Platform) or if the residents of Warsaw side overwhelmingly with the Mayor. Despite the chaotic way in which all of this was handled, I hope that Varsovians will support an end to one of Warsaw's worst-placed buildings.