Health Minister sacked replaced by Marek Balicki

One of the most controversial members of the government, Health Minister Mariusz Lapinski was dismissed by Prime Minister Leszek Miller on Friday. He has been immediately replaced by SLD-UP coalition Senator Marek Balicki. At a press conference, Miller began by enumerating Lapinski's merits as a minister to end up saying, "I cannot ignore the fact that the minister made a decision which forces me to take quick and determined action." In Miller's opinion Lapinski, by asking the Cabinet to write-off a loan taken by health funds in 2000, exceeded his competence. (Rzeczpospolita, Jan. 18-19, p. A1) A.Z.