Editor's Note: The sleaze that sucks you in
I have been naive to believe, and I was 100 percent, no maybe 99 percent, aware of my naivety, that something would change in Poland. That, at least in the short term, we would see a difference. That politicians, especially those in parliament, will stop acting senselessly and, we shouldn't avoid saying it, stop harming the country.
And I was disappointed. Completely, this time, 100 percent. Since last Monday we have witnessed the return of political chaos fueled by insults and accusations. If only the politicians didn't try to drag business and the economy into their sleaze. The economy in this country is in a far better condition than the political life.
This time our MPs decided to remove the Treasury Minister, Jacek Socha, from office. He is the best Minister in this government. His was not a typical political nomination based on party membership, but an independent highly qualified specialist, one of unfortunately very few in this country. Ever since the beginning of the political and economical transformation, Socha has devoted his activities to the capital market in Poland, which he helped create from scratch. The former head of the Polish Securities and Exchange Commission and a supporter of privatization tries to make sure that the capital market stays in order.
He joined the government, as he says, for just one year on the request of Prime Minister Belka, who has transformed from an economist into a real politician, but tries to put on the face of a technocrat. But he helps the Polish economy much more than he hurts it. He would probably be able to do more, if not for the government based on the party, which Belka has already severed his ties with.
During his spell as Minister, Socha proved that privatization is not only necessary, but also possibly to the benefit of the Polish capital market and state-owned companies. However, his successes include the privatization of PKO BP, the largest in the last 14 years. This has enraged MPs so much that they decided to remove him from office. It was too peaceful, too quiet in the last week - so they had to do something. But Belka announced that if Socha goes, so will he and the Prime Minister's resignation would trigger a June election, something MPs want to avoid. Their shameful conduct shows that they seldom seem to use their heads, and when they do it is to figure out how to cling on to power that little bit longer.
Eliza Durka
Editor-in-Chief
And I was disappointed. Completely, this time, 100 percent. Since last Monday we have witnessed the return of political chaos fueled by insults and accusations. If only the politicians didn't try to drag business and the economy into their sleaze. The economy in this country is in a far better condition than the political life.
This time our MPs decided to remove the Treasury Minister, Jacek Socha, from office. He is the best Minister in this government. His was not a typical political nomination based on party membership, but an independent highly qualified specialist, one of unfortunately very few in this country. Ever since the beginning of the political and economical transformation, Socha has devoted his activities to the capital market in Poland, which he helped create from scratch. The former head of the Polish Securities and Exchange Commission and a supporter of privatization tries to make sure that the capital market stays in order.
He joined the government, as he says, for just one year on the request of Prime Minister Belka, who has transformed from an economist into a real politician, but tries to put on the face of a technocrat. But he helps the Polish economy much more than he hurts it. He would probably be able to do more, if not for the government based on the party, which Belka has already severed his ties with.
During his spell as Minister, Socha proved that privatization is not only necessary, but also possibly to the benefit of the Polish capital market and state-owned companies. However, his successes include the privatization of PKO BP, the largest in the last 14 years. This has enraged MPs so much that they decided to remove him from office. It was too peaceful, too quiet in the last week - so they had to do something. But Belka announced that if Socha goes, so will he and the Prime Minister's resignation would trigger a June election, something MPs want to avoid. Their shameful conduct shows that they seldom seem to use their heads, and when they do it is to figure out how to cling on to power that little bit longer.
Eliza Durka
Editor-in-Chief
