[wdb] -- On Linux/KDE, it is possible that applications are restricted not to [raise]/[lower] any window. The application "Kontrollzentrum" (in English KDE probably "Control Center") has got a switch where this can be allowed or forbidden.

With my current Linux distribution Kanotix, this restriction was set. Tcl/Tk was affected such that the commands lower, raise did not work. In a Kanotix forum, I found the right hint. The complete solution was on my German desktop:

Kontrollzentrum -- Arbeitsfläche -- Fenstereigenschaften -- Vorbeugen gegen unerwünschte Aktivierung.
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[RS] Wild guess: on eTcl / Windows/CE, raise alone has no effect, wm deiconify helps though...