Fate of NBP bill hangs in the balance as government seeks meeting with RPP

The government announced yesterday that it wanted to meet with members of the rate-setting Monetary Policy Council (RPP) to discuss the domestic economic situation. Should the talks not produce the results anticipated by ministers, and should no joint policy result from it, then the government has said it will throw its weight behind the proposed amendment to the National Bank of Poland (NBP) bill. "After this meeting we will inform the speaker of parliament about our conclusions, mainly the government position on the proposed legislation," said government spokesman Michal Tober. The bill, submitted by the Polish Peasants Party (PSL) last month, seeks to add new members to the RPP, which would result in it being more likely to fall in line with government policy, and lower interest rates. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, B1; Reuters) P.J.