2005 The year in brief: AUGUST

PKN can't vote

PKN Orlen loses its voting rights in Unipetrol, the Czech oil company, after an offer to buy out other shareholders is rejected by Czech regulators. Officially, the commission vetoed Orlen's offer due to inconsistencies in the price-calculation method, but the actual reason is said to be Orlen's attempt to buy shares well below market prices

Poland-Belarus spat

Conflict between Poland and Belarus erupts after the Union of Poles in Belarus elects an independent, Andżelika Borys, as its new head. The headquarters of the Union in Grodno are closed to members, and those who continue to engage in the organization's activities are arrested. The row harms diplomatic relations between Warsaw and Minsk and the Polish Foreign Minister recalls his ambassador from Minsk.

Pension reform

President Aleksander Kwaśniewski signs two controversial bills on pensions. The bill causing the most confusion extends miners' rights to early retirement and delays reforms for early retirement for other workers. The reforms could cost taxpayers zł.18 billion by 2010. Miners had earlier marched on Warsaw and gone on a rampage close to the Sejm, with 37 police officers injured and 69 protestors arrested.

Cimoszewisz leads

August presidential polls show Włodzimierz Cimoszewisz back in the lead, with 26 percent support. He is followed by PO's Donald Tusk (23 percent), and PiS' Lech Kaczyński with 21 percent.  (Poland A.M.)