POLAND:Poland's beleaguered ruling party has rejected the opposition's offer of support for its budget proposals in return for early elections next spring.
The Law and Justice Party also rebuffed calls from the liberal Civic Platform to immediately terminate its coalition with two populist parties, which are embroiled in scandals that have deeply embarrassed a government that claims to abhor sleaze.
The nationalist League of Polish Families fired an aide to a senior member this month after she was filmed at a neo-Nazi rally, while the leader of the Self Defence Party has been accused of forcing a woman to have sex with him in exchange for a party job. The man accused, Andrzej Lepper, denies any impropriety.
A leading member of the government rejected the offer from Civic Platform yesterday.
"We reject this idea," interior minister Ludwik Dorn said of the suggestion of a deal on early elections.
"If the prosecutors lay charges against Mr Lepper, the prime minister has made very clear that this will mean his dismissal. This could, but doesn't have to, have political consequences."
Law and Justice came to power a year ago, promising to launch a "moral revolution" to clean up Polish politics.
But its term has been dogged by quarrels with its controversial coalition partners and disputes with EU partners and other states.
Parliament is due to start debating the 2007 budget next week and it must be passed by the end of the year, but analysts fear the latest row will delay matters.
