AWS members to be punished for vote against VAT on agricultural products

Two-hundred and thirty deputies voted for and 209 against the government proposal to increase the value-added tax (VAT) on agricultural products to 3%. Discussions about the VAT level have been going on for two months. It was not clear if the government could push its proposal through. A 0% VAT level would have deprived the Treasury of nearly zl. 1.3 billion in 2001. The deputies that voted against the bill were from the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), Polish Peasant Party (PSL) and five were from Solidarity Election Action (AWS). AWS spokesman Piotr Zak said those who broke ranks would be excluded from the alliance. Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek was happy with the result. He said that the money from that tax could be used for education in the countryside. Farmers gathered in front of Sejm did not share his enthusiasm. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 1) A.D.