PSL leader Kalinowski faces internal opposition over coalition relations

Polish Peasants Party (PSL) leader Jaroslaw Kalinowski is facing opposition from within his own party over relations with its senior coalition partner, the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD). Although a meeting of the party's Sejm d eputies, senators and local government activists currently being held at a m ilitary recreation camp in Waplewo near Olsztynek is designed ostensibly to train new MPs, it is, in fact, focusing on differences between Kalinowski an d his opponents. Several PSL members, dissatisfied with the party's position within the ruling SLD-led coalition, criticize Kalinowski for being too leni ent on import tax issues, and say the planned increase in VAT on building ma terials violates the coalition agreement. There is also fierce opposition wi thin the party to Poland's new negotiating position on the purchase of farml and by foreigners. PSL Sejm deputy Zdzislaw Podkanski said, "It's time to ta lk about the future. Our coalition partners are not meeting their obligation s under what we agreed. In this marriage the SLD is dissembling." (Gazeta Wy borcza, p. 6) P.W.