Poland isolated and alone in opposition to EU Constitution

The Polish envoys, Marek Cichocki and Ewa Osniecka-Tamecka, reiterated Poland's opposition to the new voting system, which favors big countries such as Germany, and tabled an alternative one that gives bigger clout to medium-sized countries such as Poland. But, says a Polish diplomat, "Judging from the statements by the envoys, our only potential ally is the Czech Republic." But even this is not very likely. To win Poland round, old EU countries and the European Commission are reportedly willing to include clauses about European solidarity and energy security in a final document, but Polish diplomats are unimpressed. Meanwhile, Hans-Gert Pottering yesterday called on Poland to show solidarity with the EU. "It is next to impossible for Poland to persuade 26 countries to change their mind on the voting system. Its continued opposition may derail the Constitution," he said. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 10) R.M.