Tropilo follows Chronowski's lead, raising doubts about energy privatization

Just a day after Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek accepted the resignation of Treasury Minister Andrzej Chronowski in a bid to defuse tension over the policies of his ministry, Jakub Tropilo, the deputy treasury minister in charge of selling off the state's holdings in the energy and sugar sectors, has also decided to step down, raising fears privatization of the sectors could be delayed. Tropilo's ambitious plans to permit simultaneous sell-offs of stakes in lucrative power distributors and less-attractive generators were popular among investors but prompted opposition from the state sector watchdog URE and the Economy Ministry. Prime Minister Buzek has not yet accepted Tropilo's resignation. Chronowski had been accused by critics of mismanaging the privatization of state assets and worsening relations with foreign investors, which observers say ultimately led to his departure from the Treasury. (Puls Biznesu, p. 4; Zycie, p.3; Reuters) A.Z.