Commission recommendation opens the way for Lepper to lose immunity

The Sejm Regulatory Commission (SKR) yesterday voted to recommend that Samoobrona leader Andrzej Lepper be stripped of his parliamentary immunity. According to Zycie the full Sejm is expected to vote to withdraw his i mmunity within a few days. This would leave the way open for the former Sejm deputy speaker to face charges of slander and insulting a minister. SKR chairman Witold Firak commented that the majority of members felt serious accusations relating not only to individuals but also to links between business and politics could now be addressed. Lepper himself has been quoted as saying, "It would be worth going to prison for two years if in return certain economic and foreign policy matters could be explained." (Zycie, p. 4; Rzeczpospolita, p. A1) P.W.