Freedom Union to Withdraw From Poland's Ruling Coalition

The Freedom Union (UW), the second largest party in Poland's ruling coalition led by the Solidarity Union, decided on Sunday afternoon to withdraw from the government, Polish Press Agency reported.

The move is likely to put an end to the two-and-a half-year-old government led by Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek.

The UW's executive council voted to pull all its ministers out of the government, saying the Buzek government is no longer able to carry out vital economic reforms.

These ministers will remain in office in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet is formed, the news agency said.

UW leader, Finance Minister Leszek Balcerowicz, told the executive council that he did not rule out the possibility that his party might cooperate again with the Solidarity Union under a new prime minister.

"We don't exclude the possibility of renewing the coalition," he said at the opening of the meeting.

Deputies from the Solidarity bloc have on several occasions voted against the government's own economic reforms, which are considered crucial to prepare Poland for joining the European Union.

People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/