Question mark remains over energy price liberalization

This reverses the decision made by his predecessor, Adam Szafrański, which experts said could have triggered price increases of 5-10%. However, energy companies had already been notified  they would be free to set prices as of 2008 and, says Szafrański, "If they go to court, they have 75% chance of winning." Swora's decision was not consulted with either PM Tusk or Economy Minister Waldemar Pawlak. Both made it clear yesterday the final decision would rest with them. "We will see if it is better to reinstate some form of regulation, or introduce other measures to soften the impact for consumers," Tusk said yesterday. "I am in favor of market-based solutions," Pawlak told reporters in Brussels. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 30; Rzeczpospolita, p. B1; Puls Biznesu, p. 8) R.M.