Political instability deepens as AWS backbenchers criticize their leadership
The government crisis continues as Solidarity Election Action (AWS)
backbenchers voice their lack of confidence at the way Marian Krzaklewski
handled the split with Freedom Union (UW). The oposition Democratic Left
Alliance (SLD) has pledged not to call a vote of no-confidence in the Sejm,
but instead wait for AWS to fall. Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek is proposing to
fill the five vacant portfolios in due course. The Daily Zycie says it is
possible that loyal Krzaklewski ally and Economic Minister Janusz Steinholf
may take over as Finance Minister while the influential chair of the Sejm
Defense Commission Bronislaw Komolowski could become Defense Minister. The
other likely candidates are chief European integration negotiator Jan
Kulakowski and former Chief Justice Adam Strzembosz to take over the Foreign
and Justice portfolios. (Zycie, page 1, 3, 16) S.M.
