PiS claims new EU Constitution is damaging to Polish interests

Law and Justice (PiS) has called for a referendum to decide whether Poland should accept the new EU constitution. Party leader Jarosław Kaczyński said he was indignant by the European Convent' decision to accept the Constitution draft which completely ignores Poland's postulate to address God in the document's preamble. PiS is also demanding the Constitution should preserve the Nice Treaty voting system favorable to Poland. According to Kaczyński, if Poland gives its consent to the new document it will lose the chance to have a say in EU strategic areas such as immigration and economic policies. "This is a scandal. Any explanation that it is just a draft is out of the question," said an enraged Kaczyński. PiS is now waiting for the government to take official stand on the issue. (Gazeta wyborcza, p.6; www.polskieradio.pl) J.K.