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Polish Lower House Refuses to Dissolve Itself


Poland's lower house of parliament has rejected a motion to dissolve itself and pave the way for early parliamentary elections amid deep popular discontent with the ruling center-left party.

The dissolution motion failed to muster the necessary majority Thursday in the Sejm, or lower house. This means elections are still set for October when the lower house completes its term.

Prime Minister Marek Belka has pledged to resign if the lower house failed to dissolve itself and allow the early vote.

But analysts say President Aleksander Kwasniewski is likely to reject his resignation, which would force the prime minister to remain in office until the end of the parliamentary term.

Mr. Belka's center-left Democratic Left Alliance trails center-right and populist parties in opinion polls.

Analysts say Mr. Belka may leave his party and join a new centrist group.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

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