- December 14, 2012
- 267
Tomaszewski: Atheists among Social Democrats
“All the main points of our policy-making agenda were included in the governmental programme,” said the leader of Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania, Waldemar Tomaszewski in conversation with Radio “Znad Wilii.”
“One of the items included in the governmental programme is concerned with alternative energy sources, which might considerably lower heating prices. Switching to biofuels along with increased competitiveness in the heating sector is essential in order to lower the prices which are now dictated by those who have a monopoly in the area,” said Tomaszewski.
When asked about the fate of the power plant project, he emphasised that so far it is uncertain. The item involving the power plant was formulated in such a way that it leaves the matter to further consideration so that an optimal solution can be arrived at. “We also managed to bring the item involving local road funding to the governmental programme. We want the fund to be increased by 30%. We are concerned with prompt finalisation of land reimbursement, since compensations promised by the former government are unacceptable,” the MEP continued.
“Many items concerned with protection of national minorities were also brought to the programme. This includes language use, implementation of a national minorities act, for as far as I know, we are the only country in the EU that neglected to produce such an act, bilingual street names and surnames in their original form,” added Tomaszewski.
As to the rest of items proposed by EAPL, the politician emphasised that some of them correspond with the propositions of coalition partners. “Some of the points drawn by us are more radical, such as the proposition to increase the minimal wage to 1200 litas. The coalition insisted on the maximum of 1000 litas. It is also possible to increase pensions. Poland with its 50 per cent of average salary sets an example in the matter, while in Lithuania it is only 35 per cent. We cannot constantly assume that there is no money when in fact great amounts of public money have been wasted,” expressed Tomaszewski.
It was religious beliefs that divided the coalition partners. Part of social democrats proposed to separate religion from the state, which according to Tomaszewski was absurd, as the matter is already settled in the constitution and there is no need for reiteration. “There will be no consensus about religion in this coalition. EAPL counts on Christian values while some social democrats are atheists, which makes it difficult to come to an understanding,” concluded Tomaszewski.
Tłumaczenie Aleksandra Christ w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Aleksandra Christ the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.
