AP Interview: New Polish party on the rise {left wing}

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_POLAND_RISING_PARTY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-10-07-07-42-23

WARSAW, Poland (AP) -- A surprise in Poland's election campaign has been the quick rise of a left-wing party that supports gay rights, liberalizing abortion laws, and the greater separation of church and state - a sign of growing secularization in this conservative, Roman Catholic country.

Janusz Palikot, the leader of the left-wing Palikot's Movement, told The Associated Press Friday that the time has come for his brand of liberalization as the country grows more secular.

The new party has risen to third place in opinion polls ahead of Sunday's parliamentary election with 10 percent projected support - giving it a chance of a greater voice in political life, and possibly even a shot at joining the next government.

"With 10 percent, I'm not sure, but with 15 percent there can't be a coalition without me," said Palikot, a lawmaker who broke away from Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Civic Platform party last year.