Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Poland's Political Eavesdropping Scandal Shuts Down Polish Parliament

The testimony by Poland's Former Minister of Interior about Polish Government use of special services organizations to spy on political opponents has stopped proceedings of the Polish Parliament. And the stoppage may end up being long term. Parliamentary Speaker Ludwig Dorn said if the opposition continues to demand breaks the current session could "go on for months".

Yesterday, during the reading of the secret testimony of Former Minister of Interior Janusz Kaczmarek, Former Minister of Education Roman Giertych exploded when he learned that conversations between him and Former Deputy Prime Minister Andrzej Lepper were recorded and transcripts of their conversations given to Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski.

Making accusations of a "Polish Watergate", Giertych demanded a delay in Parliamentary proceedings until next Tuesday. Giertych wants to hear what the Former heads of the National Police and the Anti-Corruption Bureau have to say when they testify before the Parliament Special Service Committee. (For Previous claims of a Polish Watergate, see Polish Watergate? The time has come for transparency in Poland!

The delay stops all work of the Parliament.

And the delay stops the process to the necessary vote to dissolve the Polish Parliament and hold early elections. Though the Prime Minister wants the elections held on the 21st of October, such parliamentary maneuvering is creating delays that make that date not likely....
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