Kołodko-Haunser showdown likely to follow EU referendum

Government spokesman Michał Tober said on Friday that work on fiscal reform proposal by Finance Minister Grzegorz Kołodko, which the Cabinet planned to discuss on Tuesday, could be postponed by a week or even two. But analysts say ministers, some of whom openly want fiscal loosening to revive the economy and cut record unemployment, are likely to delay painful policy decisions until after the June 7-8 EU referendum lest voters blame Brussels for spending cuts. "The date of the discussion (on the fiscal reform) depends on when the Finance Ministry submits its materials. Analysts said once the EU vote is over, there may be a political showdown between Kołodko and Economy Minister Jerzy Hausner over the extent of fiscal tightening. (Reuters) A.Z.