Sejm passes 2001 budget after heated debate and numerous amendments

After a fierce debate, the Sejm approved the government's 2001 budget draft with 247 votes for and 202 against, meaning that the Solidarity Election Action (AWS) government will remain in power its full term. AWS received support from its former coalition partner, UW, to push the bill through. During the five-hour debate, Sejm deputies introduced some 40 amendments to the budget. They decided to limit funds assigned to foreign and domestic debt servicing, while increasing spending on, among other things, education, defense, the Warsaw subway, Internet in schools and fighting unemployment. Some deputies during the debate went so far as to question Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek's manhood for reportedly failing to keep a promise of cheaper fuel for farmers. The budget now awaits approval of the Senate, where AWS has majority. Once passed in the upper house, President Aleksander Kwasniewski is obliged to sign it. The budget sets revenues at zl.161.1 billion and spending at zl.181.6 billion, assuming that inflation will fall to 7%, while unemployment will rise to 15.4%. GDP growth is to reach 4.5%, up from 4.1% in 2000. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p.1, Reuters)