Polish President Veto's Bill on State-Owned Enterprises

Strategic Insights -

Polish President Lech Walesa made a surprising move when he vetoed a bill that aimed to commercialize state-owned enterprises, putting 4,400 of them under market economy rules while retaining state ownership. This decision came after opposition parties, including Solidarity, pressured Walesa to veto the bill in exchange for their support in the upcoming presidential election. The bill was heavily criticized by the opposition, with many arguing that it would benefit the ruling coalition and hinder privatization efforts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bill aimed to put 4,400 state-owned enterprises under market economy rules while retaining state ownership, a move seen as a first step towards privatization.
  • The bill was vetoed by President Lech Walesa after a round of consultations with Solidarity and opposition right-wing parties.
  • The opposition parties, including the Conservative Coalition, criticized the bill, arguing that it would benefit the ruling coalition and limit the private sector.
  • Leszek Spalinski, Walesa's spokesman, stated that the president is afraid that commercialization would hinder privatization efforts.
  • The Sejm, the lower house of Parliament, is expected to override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote on July 21.

Statistics:

  • 4,400 state-owned enterprises were set to be commercialized under the vetoed bill.
  • 7 opposition parties are part of the Conservative Coalition, which criticized the bill.
  • 2,000 jobs were reportedly at stake in the executive boards of the commercialized plants.
  • 50% + 1 vote (or a 2/3 majority) is required to override the presidential veto in Poland.

Sources:

  • "Polish President Veto's Bill on State-Owned Enterprises" (July 17)
  • Speech by Kazimierz Ujazdowski, chairman of the Conservative Coalition