Government's legislative priority puts economic program ahead of the EU

The government has pledged to present 150 new bills to Parliament this year. But the priority given to its economic program could threaten progress in adjusting Polish law to European Union (EU) standards. The economic program calls for the introduction or amendment of around 100 bills, meant to create better conditions for enterprises and investors, and to fight unemployment and limit bureaucracy. The government plans to present these bills to Parliament, starting this month. Meanwhile the several dozen bills designed to adjust Polish legislation to EU standards are likely to have to wait until the summer before they are debated, even though the European Commission (EC) presents its report on the readiness of candidate countries, based on data it collects by early August. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A3) T.J.