Miller dismisses calls to quit as "theatrical gestures"

Prime Minister Leszek Miller said yesterday he would try to build a new parliamentary majority this week to help his government carry out urgent fiscal reforms. Miller rejected as "theatrical gestures of no significance" opposition calls for him to quit following a split in the ruling coalition, and said he would meet leaders of small parliamentary groups whose support could give him the 19 votes he needs. "This week is favorable for such decisions. Parliament meets and everybody is here," Miller told public radio. "The Sejm does not consist only of big political parties. There are also smaller groups... We have received signals they might be interested in formalizing the relationship," he said. The government now needs votes to pass Finance Minister Grzegorz Kolodko's fiscal reforms and also needs the broadest possible support for EU membership. Miller welcomed Saturday's "yes" vote on the issue in Malta, saying it augured well for referendums in other candidate countries. (Reuters) A.Z.