National Bank, Board of Inspection protest exclusion from Cabinet meetings

The ruling Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) has taken action to deprive the heads of the National Bank of Poland (NBP) and the Supreme Board of Inspection (NIK) of the right to participate in Cabinet meetings. The two vital independent state institutions are protesting vigorously. The NIK said in a statement that it will be unable to inform the government of any irregularities on a current basis, without involving Parliament, if it is unable to participate in Cabinet meetings. "This is a strange initiative, to say the least," said deputy NBP governor Andrzej S. Bratkowski. "Particularly since government representatives recently declared greater transparency of their proceedings and called on the NBP to cooperate more closely [with government]." The SLD claims that the proposed changes to regulations on the NIK and the NBP are only meant to clear up the law, while internal organization of the Cabinet will be regulated by its own code. However, unofficial sources say that the code will state that the NIK and the NBP heads will be able to take part in Cabinet meetings if specifically invited by the Prime Minister. (Gazeta Wyborcza, Dec. 15-16, p. 3) T.J.