Belka's mission draws to a close
The ruling Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) will re-open the debate on whether it should back calls for an early general election, not otherwise due until October.
Earlier this year the SLD officially dropped plans for polls in June, but is under increasing pressure to back a motion for parliament to dissolve itself in a vote due on May 5.
"We will re-evaluate the timing of elections during a meeting of the SLD national council on March 12," party leader Jozef Oleksy said.
Prime Minister Marek Belka piled pressure on the SLD to back early elections on Thursday by saying in a speech that his mission as head of government would end in early May.
"I will do everything so that on May 5 parliament will decide to dissolve itself. Regardless of what happens on May 5, if parliament decides one way or another, I will regard the mission of my government to have ended with success," Belka said. He has also flirted with joining the new centrist Democratic Party.
In comments made after Belka's speech, Oleksy reaffirmed that the SLD would not withdraw its support for the prime minister, despite dissatisfaction with his loyalty.
"We expected a clearer statement by the premier about whether he intends to join the new party ... [but] we do not plan to withdraw our support for the government," Oleksy said.
Belka's call for early elections in June calmed market worries about political instability that had been growing over the past fortnight and led to immediate gains for the złoty.
Earlier this year the SLD officially dropped plans for polls in June, but is under increasing pressure to back a motion for parliament to dissolve itself in a vote due on May 5.
"We will re-evaluate the timing of elections during a meeting of the SLD national council on March 12," party leader Jozef Oleksy said.
Prime Minister Marek Belka piled pressure on the SLD to back early elections on Thursday by saying in a speech that his mission as head of government would end in early May.
"I will do everything so that on May 5 parliament will decide to dissolve itself. Regardless of what happens on May 5, if parliament decides one way or another, I will regard the mission of my government to have ended with success," Belka said. He has also flirted with joining the new centrist Democratic Party.
In comments made after Belka's speech, Oleksy reaffirmed that the SLD would not withdraw its support for the prime minister, despite dissatisfaction with his loyalty.
"We expected a clearer statement by the premier about whether he intends to join the new party ... [but] we do not plan to withdraw our support for the government," Oleksy said.
Belka's call for early elections in June calmed market worries about political instability that had been growing over the past fortnight and led to immediate gains for the złoty.
