Miller fires four more advisors

Prime Minister Leszek Miller, whose personal approval ratings have hit new lows since he fired his coalition partner this month, has fired four close advisers, Rzeczpospolita reported yesterday. The daily quoted Grzegorz Rydlewski, a senior aide, saying Miller wanted to "try new solutions and reach out to people of the younger generation". Three of the four had either worked for the secret service or as diplomats under communist rule, although Rydlewski said that had played no part in their dismissal. The clear-out came as Miller fights to shore up his position after firing the Polish Peasants Party (PSL) from his coalition on March 1. It also directly preceded a crunch cabinet debate on budget reforms proposed by Finance Minister Grzegorz Kolodko, who has threatened to quit if he does not win full cabinet backing. Miller has also been politically damaged by the ongoing "Rywingate" scandal. (Reuters) A.Z.