In Brief: Who will lead PO?; Kaczmarek and Rywin; More pressure on Miller

Maciej Płażyński is said to be considering abandoning of his plans to stand as party leader. If this is true, then PO deputy leader Donald Tusk will be the only serious candidate left. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A8) ... "Contrary to my colleagues, I am not going to make an idiot of myself by denying the fact that I contacted Lew Rywin," said former Treasury Minister Wiesław Kac zmarek. According to telephone billings, he talked with Rywin twice last year. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A8) ... President Aleksander Kwaśniewski has opened talks with leaders of the opposition on supporting the program recently presented by the Prime Minister. Artur Balazs from the Conservative Peasants Party-New Poland Movement (SKL-RNP) who was first to have touched on the issue with Kwaśniewski said, "I put it straight: the opposition may be willing to co-operate provided that the Prime Minister is replaced." (Rzeczpospolita, p. A8) A.Z. Tax News In Brief: VAT returns on flats; Free holidays?; New NHF obligations After EU accession, the VAT rate for construction materials will go up from 7% to 22%. The Infrastructure Minister claimed that the public will not be affected by this change as a system of VAT refunds will be introduced for those building houses or buying flats. However, nothing has been done so far and the fiscal reform proposed by the Finance Ministry says nothing on such VAT returns. (Parkiet, April 5) ... It is possible that from next year, thousands will be able to go on free holidays, as was once the case. Free holidays, to be paid with coupons purchased with a company's social fund, are meant to revive the national tourist sector, according to the Finance Ministry, which came up with the idea. (Parkiet, April 5) ... The new National Health Fund, (NHF) in force since April 1, has introduced obl igatory health insurance contributions for members of supervisory boards who are paid for fulfilling their roles. K.Ż. (Tax News is based on Pricew aterhouseCoopers Tax Department web service, www.taxonline.pl)