Poland's first transsexual lawmaker announces bid for presidency

Polish transsexual lawmaker Anna Grodzka says she will run for president in May elections, breaking new ground in the staunchly Catholic country.

“Yes, I’ll be a presidential candidate,” the 60-year-old former filmmaker and publisher told the Wirtualna Polska website, saying she had the backing of the Green Party.

Born a man, Grodzka was elected Poland’s first transsexual lawmaker in 2011.

Her candidacy was not expected to significantly change the state of play, four months ahead of the vote.

Incumbent President Bronislaw Komorowski, a centre-right independent who has been in the job since 2010, enjoys a comfortable lead in opinion polls.

Some surveys show the 62-year-old, who is close to the Civic Platform (PO) governing party, winning re-election at the first round.