Politics In Brief: Protests against Giertych; Environmental car tax

They accuse him him of incompetence and introducing too much ideology to schools which should be secular. Giertch brushes off the demonstrations as being inspired by the SLD. (Rzeczpospolita June 10-11, p.A3; Gazeta Wyborcza June 10-11, p.2) ... The cabinet has accepted a new bill slapping an environmental tax on cars, which is to replace the much criticized excise tax. According to the new bill, tax on vehicles produced in 2005 but sold in 2006 will double, while the rate for importers will be less painful. If the Sejm deals with the bill soon, it could enter in force by the Autumn.  (Rzeczpospolita, June 10-11, p. B3)