World Digest: Bronislaw Komorowski declared winner of Poland's presidential vote

POLAND

Komorowski wins presidential vote

Poland chose a rival of the late president over his twin brother in a vote seen as a move away from three months of shock and mourning after the death of Lech Kaczynski in a plane crash.

Bronislaw Komorowski was declared the winner Monday, meaning his governing pro-business Civic Platform party now has a year of control of both the government and the presidency before parliamentary elections.

The victory represents a chance for the party to fulfill promises to dismantle some remnants of the old communist-era welfare state. It has pledged to attack privileges ranging from permanent sick leave to low taxes for rich farmers in an attempt to prevent the European debt crisis from spreading to Poland.

Komorowski was elected for a five-year term, separately from the government, ending three years in which Lech Kaczynski, a social conservative who favored strong welfare protections, used his veto power to stop Prime Minister Donald Tusk from pushing through free-market measures.

President Obama telephoned Monday to extend his congratulations and invite the new president to visit him in Washington.

-- Associated Press

IRAQ

Biden encourages progress on talks

Vice President Biden left Iraq on Monday evening after a three-day trip in which he urged Iraqi officials to speed up the formation of the nation's new government, Iraqi officials said.

On the last day of his visit, Biden met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and the head of a religious Shiite party, Ammar al-Hakim.