Donald Tusk

Polish PM, president, take spat to tribunal

Polish PM, president, take spat to tribunal Warsaw - Poland's Constitutional Tribunal was to settle a spat Friday on who represents the country at European Union summits, after a jostle for power among Polish leaders that forced one in October to charter his own plane.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk asked the tribunal to resolve the conflict that's part of a larger, years-long power struggle between the two political rivals.

The tribunal will decide if President Lech Kaczynski can decide for himself to take part in EU summits, or if the prime minister has the final word.

Poland to strengthen Afghan mission

Poland to strengthen Afghan missionWarsaw  - Poland will add 400 soldiers to

Polish government sells euros as zloty sinks

Polish government sells euros as zloty sinks Warsaw  - Poland's finance ministry sold euros on the market Wednesday from its European Union funds amid a sinking zloty, a ministry spokesman told TVN24.

The spokesman declined to say how much was sold, or if the government would sell more in an effort to boost the weakening national Polish currency.

The zloty had dipped to 4.94 against the euro on Tuesday. It had risen to 4.77 against the euro at the close of the stock exchange on Wednesday.

Tusk talks of intervention as Polish currency drops

Tusk talks of intervention as Polish currency dropsWarsaw  - Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Tuesday the government would intervene if the country's currency drops to 5 zloty against the euro, and would then sell euros on the market.

The announcement came after the zloty dropped to historic lows on Monday, when it traded at 4.77 against the euro. It dipped further on Tuesday, when at times it traded at
4.94 against the euro.

Poland to make cuts amid gloomy economic forecasts

Poland to make cuts amid gloomy economic forecasts Warsaw - Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was to meet with his cabinet ministers Friday on slashing government spending, amid forecasts of slowing economic growth and rising inflation.

Tusk asked ministries for a plan that would cut spending by some 17 billion zloty (5.15 billion dollars,) the Polish Press Agency PAP reported, and would amount to a 10 per cent cut in expenses for the first half of 2009.

Polish PM: energy to be priority in unstable times

Donald TuskWarsaw  - Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he aims to give priority to projects such as nuclear power stations and gas contracts in the wake of Moscow's recent cut-off of gas shipments.

"From my government's point of view, in times of energy instability, like the Russian-Ukraine crisis, our priority will be our citizens' energy security," Tusk said on Tuesday.

Tusk said Poland had fared well since the Kremlin cut off gas shipments to Ukraine last week, but said the future might be "less rosy."

Pages