AWS accuses SLD-UP of slander over financial mismanagement claims

A few weeks away from parliamentary elections, the Democratic Left Alliance - Labor Union (SLD-UP) coalition has accused politicians from Solidarity Election Action (AWS) of wasting public money and of self-enrichment. In response, the AWS plans to take the SLD-UP to court, accusing the coalition of slander. The Justice Ministry appears to be in favor of investigating the matter. At a press conference last week SLD-UP officials accused AWS of taking some zl.500 million from Treasury coffers, pointing to alleged financial irregularities in the privatization of such companies as Polish State Railways (PKP), copper producer KGHM Polska Miedz, and Televizja Puls. According to Grazyna Taladaj, a Justice Ministry spokesperson, several of the instances mentioned by the SLD-UP are already being investigated by the prosecutor. Commenting on the accusations against the AWS, Andrzej Urbanski, undersecretary at the office of the Prime Minister, said the claims made by the SLD-UP are a grotesque fiction and a disgraceful attempt to manipulate public opinion. (Rzeczpospolita, Aug. 18-19, p. A1) P.W.