This month Lech Kaczynski is set to sign or veto the package of six bills that have already passed through the parliament, and he is reportedly leaning towards a veto.

"I will not consent to the commercialization that would ultimately lead to privatization," said the president Wednesday, not mentioning which bills he had in mind.

According to some unofficial data, among those there is one on the public medical service that would facilitate the hospitals privatization, another introducing a new health package and also some concerning hospital employees.

Vetoing the bills would put an end to the government's health reform.

"The Civic Platform (PO) has not bothered to come to an understanding with the left to avoid grave consequences [such as a veto]," commented the former Minister of Health, Marek Balicki.

If the president vetoes the health package, the government is likely to introduce commercialization of the hospitals by means of regulation. In that case, Kaczynski will have to resort to some other measures to block it.

"It is not a proper way of dealing with the head of the country," said the president.

Ewa Kopacz, the current Minister of Health, stressed that the government was not going to withdraw from transforming hospitals into companies, and would initiate the change on a local or regional scale as a last resort.

On the 27 November, the president is to arrange a conference on the country's responsibility for Poles' health, after which he will announce his final decision. The meeting will be attended by trade unionists, patients' associations and the Law and Justice

Leader, Jarosław Kaczynski. (is)