Poland's PM says not to run for president

The government will focus now on economic growth, curbing deficit and public debt, Tusk said.

"The presidential election is important but this is an election in which prestige and honor are at stake, not power and instruments of efficient governance," Tusk told a press conference.

"I do not want to take part in the race which ends at the (presidential) palace. I want to take part in a big battle for Poland's victory in civilization's race," Tusk said.

The prime minister said he had made the decision not to contest this year's presidential election a year ago and told his associates that he intended to keep "the power, effectiveness and instruments" belonging to the prime minister in the spring of 2009.

Opinion polls have shown Tusk is the front-runner for Poland's presidential election scheduled for the second half of the year; Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.news.xinhuanet.com for full version.