Road tax issue triggers opposition to request recall of Infrastructure Minister

The Law and Justice party (PiS) is demanding that Infrastructure Minister Marek Pol be dismissed and is applying for a vote of no confidence to be tabled. Although it will probably be backed by all opposition groups, it still will not be enough to dismiss Pol. PiS argues that the minister could have secured better terms on gas supplies from Russia, as well as failed to renegotiate with the EU on the increase of VAT in the construction industry. Deputies are furious with the scheme to introduce road tax for drivers using certain national roads (passenger car users would have to pay zl. 180 a year). "The vote of no confidence will probably not force the Infrastructure Minister to resign, but it shows our objection against increasing taxes," said Donald Tusk (PO). Minister Pol said the arguments are absurd and that Parliament has the final say on the issue of road tax. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A3) P.W.