The Polish government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, has announced its intention to adopt the Euro in Poland by 2012. That was, at least, until the opposition conditioned its approval on submitting the entire issue to the public in the form of a national referendum. It seems that in order for Poland to actually adopt the Euro, as it committed itself to do when signing the Treaty of Accession, it must first (some would argue this point) amend the Constitution. Specifically Article 227, which entrusts the National Bank of Poland with exclusive power to issue currency and determine monetary policy. By adopting the Euro, Poland would in fact be delegating primary responsibility for monetary policy to the European Central Bank.

Amendment of the Consitution may be accomplished by the government by majority vote. Alternatively, a proposed amendment to the Constitution may be voted upon by the public in the form of a national referundum. With respect to a change in the role played by the National Bank of Poland in the issuance of currency and determination of monetary policy, such amendment may be submitted to the public for approval, but such referendum is not required.

The opposition's desire to submit such amendment to a public referendum seems to me to be based more on a political game of brinksmanship as opposed to a legal requirement.What would Poland do if the public rejected the amendment of the Constitution to permit adoption of the Euro?

Prior to EU accession the Polish electorate voted in a national referendum to approve signing of the Treaty of Accession. This same Treaty includes the obligation for Poland to adopt the Euro at a future date. I see no need to resubmit the issue to another referendum. Polish voters agreed to adopt the Euro more than four years ago. Enough of the political posturing.

-- Paul B. Fogo