The Minister in waiting

Michał Pakulniewicz: Which elements of your program do you want to see become government policy?

Andrzej Lepper: SO's and Law and Justice's (PiS) working groups are formulating an initial agreement program, which should be signed this week. Then we'll need a third party to enter the talks with us. Only then will we work out the government's program. We are not insisting on anything, but there are certain important issues. One of them is amending the central bank bill, but only to make it responsible for the economy and employment. In no way is this an attempt to limit the central bank's independence. Of course, social issues are important to us - we have to figure out how to implement the European Social Charter, which talks about minimum social income, healthcare and welfare. We are not forgetting about biofuels and the fuel for farmers draft law. And the talks - talks, not renegotiations - with the European Union to increase production quotas.

How do you see your future cooperation with Finance Minister Gilowska, who spoke out against SO's ideas of the minimum social wage and the sales tax?

Let Mrs Gilowska explain how she imagines fulfilling the requirements of the European Social Charter. Just two days ago I was in Strasbourg for a session of the Council of Europe, which talked about poverty and corruption. Poland is one of the leaders in these fields. Let Mrs Gilowska explain how she plans to eradicate these problems so that next year we won't have to hear that we are among those leaders again. It's her problem, not mine. We are showing how to solve it - by the sales tax, for example. If she has other proposals, we will listen and agree to them, if they are sensible.

We still don't know who will be the third party in the coalition government. Would you prefer the Peasant's Party (PSL) or the League of Polish Families (LPR)?

The best solution would be if both joined the government. But if not, then I've been repeating it over and over and nothing has changed, I would prefer LPR. But Mr Giertych's behavior in the last few days has been difficult. He asked for a change of Prime Minister, then a change of program, which are both completely unrealistic.

How can SO and PSL co-exist in the same government? Both parties have a similar rural electorate and will probably be interested in the same ministries.

No, look at the election results - we got more votes in the cities than in the country. We have rural roots, but unlike PSL we are not a party with a solely rural electorate. The division of ministries is not the most important thing now. First we have to agree on the program, then we'll think about posts. We are not connected to any ministry, because we haven't held a ministerial post yet.

But you certainly are interested in taking some ministries in the coalition government?

We count on one of the three 'power' ministries [Justice, Internal Affairs and secret services]. One of these should go to one of the coalition parties. We can't have a situation where three parties make up the coalition, but only one party controls the Internal Affairs Ministry, the Justice Ministry and the secret services.

Which ministry are you interested in? You have repeatedly said that you can't imagine a coalition without Andrzej Lepper as Deputy Prime Minister.

Of course. But let's agree on the program first, then we'll sit down at the negotiation table.

Many foreign managers and foreign investors, who read the WBJ, are worried about SO entering the government. 

Tell them not to worry. There will be no financial revolution in Poland, no curbing of the central bank's independence, no weakening of the złoty. They don't need to worry.

Interviewed by
Michał Pakulniewicz