The prime minister, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party removed all ministers belonging to Self-Defence and the Catholic-nationalist League of Polish Families (LPR), replacing them with PiS loyalists and non-party experts.

ECONOMIST: Poland's government has collapsed

However, MPs from both Self-Defence and the LPR will be reluctant to face the voters, as the two parties' opinion poll ratings have collapsed since the 2005 parliamentary election.

ECONOMIST: Poland's government has collapsed

What is odd is that the new boss, Piotr Farfal, comes from the League of Polish Families (LPR), a radical right-wing outfit, normally seen as an arch-enemy by Warsaw's liberals.

ECONOMIST: Poland's public television

Although there are still big question marks over the corruption allegations against Mr Lepper which led to his dismissal from the government in early July, His removal has finally led to the departure of Self-Defence and the LPR from the government.

ECONOMIST: Poland's government has collapsed

The story starts with the general election in 2005, after which the LPR, along with another small party, Self-Defence, went into coalition with Law and Justice and won places on the bodies governing public radio and television.

ECONOMIST: Poland's public television

"This is a great win for both me and the LPR team and I'll remember it for a long time, " said the 31-year-old Contrini.

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