Back at square one
The first anniversary of Law and Justice's (PO) victory in last year's elections might turn out to be the government's funeral. As WBJ went to press, party officials announced that if no majority government was formed by Monday, PiS would submit a motion calling for early elections.
The crisis arose when Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński dismissed the Minister of Agriculture and Self-defense (SO) leader Andrzej Lepper from the government. "Mr Lepper was given a chance to change his political image. He didn't use this chance. After a short time, he returned to his practices, which we can only describe as 'brawling,'" Kaczyński said.
Lepper and Kaczyński had drifted apart in the last few weeks, with the SO leader heaping criticism on the proposed budget, demanding increased spending on social issues and lately he opposed sending more Polish troops to Afghanistan. Last Thursday Lepper demanded more money for a slew of issues, including healthcare, education, teachers' wages, farmers' insurances and pensions. "We will not support the budget in this shape," he declared. PiS accused Lepper of treason and called on SO deputies to leave the party and join PiS' ranks.
With SO out of the coalition, PiS doesn't have the necessary majority to hold onto power. The Kaczyńskis' party was in talks over the weekend with the Peasants' Party (PSL) about it replacing SO in the government. The support of runaway members of parliament from Lepper's party would also be needed for that government to have a majority.
Early elections are another option, but in order for Parliament to dissolve itself two-thirds of the votes are needed. With only Civic Platform (PO) and the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) officially supporting the possible motion, everything lies in PiS' hands. Polls show that the parliament would not look much different after elections and we could yet again face another standstill.
PO supports the new elections and hopes to win them. "We will talk with everybody willing to restore order responsibly," the party's leader, Donald Tusk, declared. Technically, opposition parties could team up and form a government in opposition to PiS, though this appears unlikely.
