One man suffered an epilepsy attack and several others were injured as a result of clashes with police during a demonstration of trade unionists in front of the Palace of Culture and Science where the EPP congress is taking place.

Several hundred trade union members brought an effigy of PM Donald Tusk, burnt tires and used firecrackers in protest against the rejection of the financial rescue plan for the historic shipyard in Gdansk and any possible job cuts. The police used pepper spray to restore law and order.

The Gdansk shipyard is the only one that has so far continued operating. Last November the European Commission decided that shipyards in Gdynia and Szczecin should give back billions of zlotys in state aid handed out after Poland joined the EU in 2004, which was against EU competition rules.

Another round of negotiations between Poland’s Treasury Minister and the EC concerning the future restructurization plans for the Gdansk yard is scheduled for May 11 – 15.  (di)