The headache continues
That's the question Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Affairs chief Jerzy Hausner is desperately trying to answer after the recent unfavorable vote in parliament, which rejected his proposals for higher employer contributions to the Social Security Fund (FUS).
The draft proposed was a key element in the series reforms that Hausner lent his name to. The main aim is to introduce fiscal reforms that would slash zł.54 billion off the budget deficit by the end of 2007.
This week will see discussion on a softer version of these proposals, as Hausner and parliamentary deputies try to reach a compromise. But the savings are unlikely to equal the previously planned zł.2 billion.
Two other pieces of legislation from the plan are waiting in line to be reviewed. The first concerns restructuring the Agricultural Social Security Fund (KRUS) and could save the 2005 budget zł.1 billion. The second will examine reform of the National Fund for Rehabilitating the Disabled (PFRON).
However, neither is very likely to pass parliament by the end of the year, according to ex-Social Policy Minister Krzystof Pater, who was responsible for their completion. Pater was replaced at a press conference given by President Alexander Kwaśniewski last week. He cited Pater's failure to consult with entrepreneurs over the crucial budget bills for the dismissal. Unofficially, it was also suggested that Pater had a difficult relationship with Hausner. His former deputy, Izabela Jaruga-Nowacka was named as the new Social Policy Minister.
Whatever the reasons for the round of personnel changes, it's unlikely that the search for the missing billion will gain much momentum.(A.D., ISB)
The draft proposed was a key element in the series reforms that Hausner lent his name to. The main aim is to introduce fiscal reforms that would slash zł.54 billion off the budget deficit by the end of 2007.
This week will see discussion on a softer version of these proposals, as Hausner and parliamentary deputies try to reach a compromise. But the savings are unlikely to equal the previously planned zł.2 billion.
Two other pieces of legislation from the plan are waiting in line to be reviewed. The first concerns restructuring the Agricultural Social Security Fund (KRUS) and could save the 2005 budget zł.1 billion. The second will examine reform of the National Fund for Rehabilitating the Disabled (PFRON).
However, neither is very likely to pass parliament by the end of the year, according to ex-Social Policy Minister Krzystof Pater, who was responsible for their completion. Pater was replaced at a press conference given by President Alexander Kwaśniewski last week. He cited Pater's failure to consult with entrepreneurs over the crucial budget bills for the dismissal. Unofficially, it was also suggested that Pater had a difficult relationship with Hausner. His former deputy, Izabela Jaruga-Nowacka was named as the new Social Policy Minister.
Whatever the reasons for the round of personnel changes, it's unlikely that the search for the missing billion will gain much momentum.(A.D., ISB)
