This post is a straightforward lift from the current issue of Nie (the by-line is “MB”), but it is irresistible so here goes: in the district of Jarocin the balance of power on the 19-strong district council is held by a dead man. Until the sudden death four months ago of a councillor Mieloszyk the lefties had 10 votes to 9. For a member�s mandate to lapse � even after death � the relevant motion must be passed by the council. If you know modern Poland or Nikolai Gogol you can guess the rest: the right wing councillors have for months voted against depriving the dead councillor of his place on the council, apparently preferring this paralysis to the possibility that the left wing might regain their majority of one.