Poland's first black MP leaves ruling party
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
27.08.2013 17:02
Dr. John Godson, the Nigerian-born MP for the Lodz district, has announced that he is leaving the ruling Civic Platform party, saying he is “conflicted” over a number of issues.
Photo: johngodson.pl
photo - johngodson.pl
“I decided that I will feel better as an independent,” Godson, who entered parliament as Poland's first black MP after the 2007 general election, told reporters on Tuesday.
A devout Christian and social conservative, the 42 year-old Godson said his decision has been prompted by “philosophical issues” and "various pressures."
He added, however, that he will work with the centre-right Civic Platform, the largest party in the lower house, on issues in which he is in agreement.
Godson, who moved to Poland in 1993 from Nigeria, has been an ally of ousted justice minister Jaroslaw Gowin, who stood, unsuccessfully this summer, against Prime Minister Donald Tusk in a party leadership election.
Godson, Gowin and another Civic Platform MP Jacek Żalek abstained from voting on the government's draft law on raising debt levels after the economic slowdown left a hole in this year's budget.
The three MPs still face disciplinary action by the party over abstaining on the vote.
Godson's resignation reduces still further the Civic Platform/PSL coalition's slim, five-seat majority in parliament. (pg)