Polish MPs have convened for a three day session in the Sejm – the parliament – and will mainly work on amendments to the 2008 budget draft.

While revising the new budget draft, the parliamentary finance committee has found an additional 3.5 billion zlotys to be used for pay rises in the education sector and for decreasing the budget deficit, reports the Radio News Agency (IAR).

MPs will also look for savings in most of the ministries.  Cost cutting will extend to the president’s and PM’s offices (8 million zlotys less each), as well as the Chancelleries of the Lower House (24 million zlotys less) and Senate (2.5 million zlotys less).

During the current session the MPs will also appoint an investigative panel to look into the suicide of the former construction minister Barbara Blida (Democratic Left Alliance - SLD) in connection with the “coal mafia” corruption case.  The commission will be established on 21 December.

The agenda of the current session also includes a debate on the draft act on Poland’s accession to the Schengen EU borderless zone that will take place on 21 December.

IAR reports that a resolution on the EU Reforming Treaty, signed in Lisbon on 13 December, is likely to be passed, too.