http://www2.polskieradio.pl/eo/dokument.aspx?iid=76279

Polish PM reprimands ministers

20.02.2008

PM Donald Tusk has expressed exasperation with the results of the work of a few members of his cabinet.

 

According the Rzeczpospolita daily, PM Donald Tusk told off his government members at a cabinet meeting held on Tuesday to discuss the ministers’ reports on their achievements after the first 100 days in office.

 

 “I cannot fathom how some of you could subscribe to that,” he is reported to have said.

 

Before the PM left on a skiing holiday in Italy, he requested every ministry prepare a report of the overall progress of their work and future plans by 11 February.

 

“When PM got back from his holiday and saw the notes, his heart nearly failed”, an unofficial source close to the government disclosed to the newspaper.

 

Tusk’s criticism yesterday was the result of his disappointment at the quality of some of the reports he had been handed in, which were to constitute part of a comprehensive review of the new government’s accomplishments to date.

 

Donald Tusk PM did not mention any names, although unofficial sources claim that he was particularly irritated by health minister Ewa Kopacz, labour minister Jolanta Fedak and finance minister Jacek Rostowski. 

 

Rzeczpospolita claims that a number of the cabinet members were given a deadline at midnight last night to improve their reports.

 

“The point is that some of our colleagues should review their notes and prepare something that could go to publication", one of the minister said off the record.

 

Another source said it was not clear anymore when the comprehensive report on the first 100 days of the new cabinet could be expected.

 

The government has been criticised by opposition parties for the slow progress they have made preparing laws for reforms which were part of the manifesto in last autumn’s general election. (mj)