Ms Gilowska's appointment has annoyed the populist parties on which the government depends for support.

ECONOMIST: Poland's shaky government

Another expected outcome of the elections is a surge in votes for populist parties opposed to the European Union.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne

Italy's mainstream parties are scrambling to shore up support ahead of April elections and to stave off challenges from populist parties, which aim to siphon voters with pledges to stamp out corruption and ditch the euro.

WSJ: Scandals Rain on Berlusconi's Party