Any day now, the government coalition is going to make a breakthrough regarding civil partnerships. This is what Prime Minister Donald Tusk expects. After the European elections, the ruling parties want to accelerate, but they argue about what and are starting to block each other. The Left may defeat the project of restoring commercial Sundays in the Sejm, and the PSL may destroy the project of partnerships.
The decision on what to do next with the act on the return of commercial Sundays has been postponed by two weeks. Unofficially, it is known that the Sejm wants to wait for new coalition MPs who will replace the elected MEPs. 13 new MPs – 11 from the Civic Coalition and two from Third Way – may decide on the future of the project. And it's about a simple vote – whether to send the Poland 2050 project for further work in the committee or reject it, as the coalition Left wants. – We do not support this idea, so I don't know why we should continue working on it, says Dorota Olko, an MP from the Left, about the Poland 2050 project. The project is a parliamentary project, submitted by a coalition partner – Poland 2050. The Civic Coalition and PSL support the referral of the project to the committee. – If there were two Sundays for which 200 or maybe 250 percent would be paid compared to regular days, such a project would be worth considering – declares Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (PSL), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense.
The Left does not want to hear about any consideration. There will be no project and that's it. – We agreed that the coalition is like one fist when it comes to government projects – reminds Tomasz Trela, an MP from the Left. This is an important dispute because the smaller coalition partners want – as they say – to show their commitment to their own program after the disastrous results in the European elections.
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Last chance talks?
Another dispute concerns the Act on civil partnerships. – This is absolutely what our voters expect. These are matters that should be closed after seven months, emphasizes Cezary Tomczyk, Deputy Minister of National Defense.
According to information from “Fakty” TVN, Donald Tusk actually gave the coalition partners an ultimatum. The case is to be resolved by June 25. – We must do everything if there is even a shadow of hope that this will be a government project, because there will be a guarantee that this project will be passed – says Katarzyna Kotula, Minister for Equality, MP from the Left. However, without the consent of PSL, there will be no government project, and the People's Party emphasizes that the issue of partnerships is not covered by the coalition agreement. – I will not declare anything on behalf of my entire formation, because here each MP makes an individual decision – says Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
The last chance will be talks between Minister Katarzyna Kotula and Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. – If there is no government project, we will follow the parliamentary project, probably more than one, but two – informs Kotula. The parliamentary bill does not guarantee a majority and may fail because PiS will vote against the bill on this matter. – The constitution prefers marriages as the form that the state should support – points out Law and Justice MP Krzysztof Szczucki. The People's Party supporters also subscribe to this opinion. – There is no question of equating (partnerships – ed.) with the status of marriages – assures Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Coalition talks are to last until the end of the deadline set by the Prime Minister. – I know many examples of politicians, including my party, who have changed their minds on this matter and I hope that PSL and PSL leaders will also change their minds – comments Agnieszka Pomaska, MP from the Civic Coalition.
The coalition partners agree on one thing – such disputes, although difficult, do not threaten to break up the coalition. At least until the next election campaign.
Main photo source: PAP/Radek Pietruszka