Gov't defends Kolodko against resignation calls

The Civic Platform (PO) has appealed to Grzegorz Kolodko to resign from the post of Finance Minister following his failed attempt to introduce the tax amnesty bill, rejected recently by the Constitutional Tribunal. The Polish Family League (LPR) has already started collecting signatures of support for the vote of no confidence in the Deputy Prime Minister. PO can also count on support from Law and Justice (PiS), which strongly opposes the whole composition of the current government, though it is difficult to assess the reaction to the event of the Self-Defense party (Samoobrona). "We have to think about it carefully," said Andrzej Lepper. The ruling coalition, however, sees no reason for the dismissal and will object to any moves aimed at the dismissal of the current Finance Minister. "The timing and circumstances of my entry into, and departure from, the political arena, as well as my actions therein are decisions for me alone," said Kolodko. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A6) A.K.