Unwillingly in charge
Belka offered his resignation to President Aleksander Kwaśniewski on Friday in the wake of parliament's failure to dissolve itself. Elections are now due in late September or early October.
This means that a minority government will be headed by an opposition politician as Belka has, on a number of occasions, disclosed that he would like to devote himself to building the new Democratic Party.
Current polls show that the ruling SLD might not achieve the necessary five percent vote threshold to enter parliament, while centrist and right-wing parties are likely to form the next government. Analysts had said early elections could produce a more reform-minded government than the current one, which is dependent on SLD and unwilling to undertake any of the serious fiscal reforms Poland needs to adopt the euro. Experts fear that four or five months of non-activity awaits Poland, further delaying the much needed reforms.
President Kwaśniewski tried to calm those worried about the prospect of the SLD's continued reign by calling on lawmakers not to raise spending to buy votes in elections, and making clear he would veto fiscally irresponsible bills. "I see no reasons to sign any laws that I believe are harmful, or connected with the election campaign," Kwaśniewski said.
This means that a minority government will be headed by an opposition politician as Belka has, on a number of occasions, disclosed that he would like to devote himself to building the new Democratic Party.
Current polls show that the ruling SLD might not achieve the necessary five percent vote threshold to enter parliament, while centrist and right-wing parties are likely to form the next government. Analysts had said early elections could produce a more reform-minded government than the current one, which is dependent on SLD and unwilling to undertake any of the serious fiscal reforms Poland needs to adopt the euro. Experts fear that four or five months of non-activity awaits Poland, further delaying the much needed reforms.
President Kwaśniewski tried to calm those worried about the prospect of the SLD's continued reign by calling on lawmakers not to raise spending to buy votes in elections, and making clear he would veto fiscally irresponsible bills. "I see no reasons to sign any laws that I believe are harmful, or connected with the election campaign," Kwaśniewski said.
