Tusk lacks the will for serious reform say outgoing minister

The comments are a major blow to the ruling Civic Platform party's reformist credentials. The PO put a bold reform of the public finances at the heart of its electoral program, but the Finance Ministry has so far been slow to propose any far-reaching changes. According to Gomułka, the reason behind the timidity is that Tusk fears any sweeping reforms would be vetoed by President Lech Kaczyński, and prefers to avoid an open clash. But, says Gomułka, "We will not witness an economic miracle like an Ireland [a PO campaign pledge] unless we make a series of reforms, and the time to do them is now, when the economy is strong."(Dziennik, p. 5) R.M.