This ain't rock 'n' roll, this is politics
Euphoria descended on the first convention of the new Civic Platform (PO) party last week in Warsaw as streams of people converged on the Stodola student club, better known for its annual Bill Haley rock 'n' roll contest.
PO was set up two months ago by the now famous gang of three: former presidential contender Andrzej Olechowski, Donald Tusk, currently deputy Senate speaker, and Maciej Plazynski, the Sejm speaker, who was previously a member of Solidarity Election Action (AWS), which he quit last year.
The three new political messiahs appeared on stage in a U.S.-style jamboree. Emerging from a sea of gleeful faces and blinding flashlights, the triumvirate presented their political ideas under the slogan: "Taxes should not be a punishment."
"We propose a 15% flat tax to be introduced in 2003," Olechowski said. "And we (Poland) can afford it." He added that the country has one of the highest tax rates in Europe, with a three-tier system of 19%, 30% and 40%. "A 15% tax will speed up economic growth and allow for new jobs to be created," Olechowski said. He said the introduction of a flat tax would also end the variety of dodgy tax rebates people apply for. "It would be the end for all smart schemers," he said. "It will be easier to be honest."
PO's speakers also said the party's next move is to collect signatures for its civic project and stop political parties financing themselves from the state budget. Plazynski also drew attention to the problem of educating young people from rural areas. "The number in universities and high schools is dropping," he said. "We want education to be an equal opportunity for everybody."
After the speeches came the question-and-answer session. Many people wanted to know the party's line on issues such as property restitution and support for small businesses. One heckler asked Olechowski about the financing of political parties. "How to finance political parties? From members' fees," Olechowski said. "Does it make sense to assign additional money for political parties (from the budget)? We say it doesn't." Another wag in the audience even asked Olechowski if he would explain his principles to his newly born granddaughter. "Unfortunately, I'm unable to explain the principles of the Polish tax system to her yet," he quipped.
Olechowski's sharp replies clearly delighted the crowd. "He's the No. 1 politician in Poland right now," said Bazylia Szybowska, a 71-year-old pensioner who attended the rally with her husband Aleksander. For the Szybowskis, taxation was the most important political issue raised at the event. More importantly, though, the new party gave them hope. "They give people hope and we want to participate in that, although we're not young," Aleksander said. "At the end of the day you have to believe in something."
