PO backflips on religious matriculation exams

The news comes as a major surprise as the ruling Civic Platform (PO) party is divided on the issue and only a few days ago Krystyna Szumilas, Hall's deputy, said the idea will not be pursued by the new government. Matriculation exams in religion were one of the pet projects of former Education Minister Roman Giertych, who was ousted before he could get approval from the Sejm. Hall's decision caused surprise even among some PO MPs, with some commentators suggesting the about-turn is evidence that the PO government wants to avoid conflict with the church, especially after the outcry over its proposal that the government subsidies in vitro fertilization. (Dziennik, p. 1) R.M.