Budget-slinging

Economy and Finance Ministers Jerzy Hausner and Mirosław Gronicki began by saying that the budget will be conducive to economic growth and eliminate risks in public finances. Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) deputy Małgorzata Ostrowska went as far as saying: "It is a pleasure to discuss a budget like this." Then it was the opposition's turn with the Civic Platform's (PO) Zyta Gilowska trying to prove that the deficit is zł.20 billion higher than shown by the government. This angered Hausner who sharply retorted: "Pity on the people of this country [if Gilowska became a Finance Minister in the future]." This in turn infuriated the PO leader and Deputy Sejm Speaker Donald Tusk, who called on Hausner to apologize for insulting Gilowska. Other opposition parties saw the budget as too restrictive. "This should be a budget for the people, not the financial markets," said deputy Andrzej Grzyb from the Polish Peasant Party (PSL). (Poland A.M.)