In the spotlight: Jacek Socha
For many, including the Minister himself, the no-confidence vote was no more than a device to impose earlier elections. Nevertheless, over the years Treasury Ministers have been favorite scapegoats due to their prerogative to sell state property, regardless of whether any accusations were justified or not.
"We can judge [the privatization of PKO BP] will bring zł.5-6 billion," said Socha nearly a year ago. One might think the fact that this privatization, Poland's largest IPO, brought in a healthy zł.7.6 billion instead to substantially boost the state budget and the economy might have worked in Socha's favor. But for some, mainly the far-right League of Polish Families who filed the motion, selling more just means selling out priceless assets.
In the end, the no-confidence petitioners themselves were of greatest help to Belka's troubled government. Their motion lacked essential arguments, which would have convinced other opposition parties to vote yes. But perhaps the main reason why deputies failed to unite to remove Socha was because many think he is the most capable and efficient Treasury head for years, although they might not dare to admit it. B.K.
"We can judge [the privatization of PKO BP] will bring zł.5-6 billion," said Socha nearly a year ago. One might think the fact that this privatization, Poland's largest IPO, brought in a healthy zł.7.6 billion instead to substantially boost the state budget and the economy might have worked in Socha's favor. But for some, mainly the far-right League of Polish Families who filed the motion, selling more just means selling out priceless assets.
In the end, the no-confidence petitioners themselves were of greatest help to Belka's troubled government. Their motion lacked essential arguments, which would have convinced other opposition parties to vote yes. But perhaps the main reason why deputies failed to unite to remove Socha was because many think he is the most capable and efficient Treasury head for years, although they might not dare to admit it. B.K.
