Drunk deputy, disorderly Samoobrona create delay in Lepper immunity vote

The motion to strip Samoobrona leader Andrzej Lepper of his parliamentary immunity will be heard today, after disruption by Samoobrona deputies yesterday prevented the proceedings from being completed. At one point yesterday, Lepper supporters even occupied the podium, preventing Sejm speaker Marek Borowski from continuing the debate. Despite the disruption, the official reason for postponing the debate given by the Sejm was the illness of Sejm Regulatory Commission chairman Witold Firak of the Dem ocratic Left Alliance (SLD). However, Borowski himself later questioned the credibility of this information. "I learned that deputy Firak was ill," he told journalists. "Soon after that I learned from a Polish Press Agency (PAP) report that he was feeling fine and was surprised the immunity motion had been postponed for a day due to his illness. I went to see him to clarify the situation. I had the impression that Firak was under the i nfluence of alcohol." Subsequently Borowski informed the Sejm that Firak would be dismissed from the position of regulatory commission chairman. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A5; Zycie, p. 1) A.Z.