Poland: The leader of Poland's populist Self-Defence party, Andrzej Lepper, said he and his party would probably throw their support behind the country's minority conservative government in a confidence vote on Thursday.
Mr Lepper said the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) conservatives had formed the best government in post-communist history. "There is no reason not to back this government. Everything indicates that we will do this," he said.
The PiS needs the backing of Self-Defence and at least one other parliamentary group after coalition talks with the number two party, the pro-business Civic Platform, collapsed.
Financial markets fear that a minority government dependent on Self-Defence, which seeks more state benefits for the poor, will hurt budgetary discipline and slow Poland's progress towards the euro zone. The zloty hit a nine-month low yesterday.
Mr Lepper said he expected the government to meet his demands and boost social spending, the minimum wage, renegotiate the terms of farm subsidies agreed with the EU and make the central bank responsible for growth. - (Reuters)