Politics In Brief: Farmers' insurance; Referendum turnout; TVP

Despite numerous reservations, the Sejm has decided to accept the government's proposal concerning changes to the system of farmers' social insurance payments. "It is the first step to regulating the system," explained Deputy Agriculture Minister Wojciech Olejniczak. The Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) and Polish Peasants Party (PSL) criticize the double insurance rate for farmers running businesses. "This is a punishment for those farmers who have to look for new incomes due to the difficult financial condition of their families," claimed Tadeusz Tomaszewski from SLD. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A4) ... After the first day of the accession referendum official data about the turnout will be revealed, but only from particular local electoral commissions, the Sejm decided yesterday. The media and polling organizations have also been permitted to provide information on the turnout based on their own research. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A4) ... Five former TVP Presidents have appealed to the Sejm, Senate, President and National Radio and Television Council (KRRiTV) to implement in TVP the requirements of political neutrality, pluralism and social responsibility. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A4) K.Ż. Tax News