Public against Tusk's ideas to curb President's powers

Over half of the public would agree to limit the President's powers and strengthening those of the Prime Minister, show the results of a poll by daily Rzeczpospolita, carried out after PM Donald Tusk announced his intention to start a debate on amending the Constitution in this area.

The opposite option, increasing Presidential privileges, was opposed by two thirds of those questioned. However, 74% believe that the President should retain the power to veto bills, while 85% still want the President to be chosen in a direct election.

"People want to feel they have influence on reality," comments political scientist Artur Wołek of the Polish Academy of Sciences. According to Wołek, once people gain the right to choose through direct elections, this privilege cannot be taken away. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A4) K.K.