Newspapers divided on shield agreement, cannabis canvassers hard at work, and packed day nurseries.

Press reviewed by Alicja Baczyńska

The signing of the agreement on the deployment of the missile defence shield in Poland has made the headlines today, with newspapers offering varied views on the topic. Tabloid Fakt, for one, considers the agreement a success cheerfully stating that US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has brought the shield and security to Poland. Rzeczpospolita is, however, concerned that the Patriot missiles are insufficient to hold back the potential attack and are disproportionate to the risks Poland is taking upon itself, claiming that one Patriot battery would not be even able to protect Warsaw. On the other hand, the Defence Ministry does not rule out the possibility of building an entire system of Patriot missiles in the future. Meanwhile, Professor Piotr Winczorek in his article for the newspaper, questions the entire procedure preceding the signing of the deal. After all, it is the citizens who should decide on such an important issue in a nationwide referendum, and not just the politicians, says Winczorek.

Supporters of legalizing marijuana are trying to persuade MPs to loosen regulations on cannabis consumption in the country, writes Dziennik. Their petition to the Ministry of Justice, requesting the right to legalise possession of marijuana for personal use, has already been signed by hundreds of people, alongside rehab therapists, and a number of employees of the Monar human aid organization. And just recently, a new line of action has been introduced, as cannabis canvassers, recruited over the internet, have been paying visits to politicians to win them over. The strategy appears to be bringing expected results. The petitioners have already succeeded in obtaining signatures from five parliamentarians, including former health minister Marek Balicki. Hopes are high, since apparently there are pot enthusiasts among all the parties, which also includes the Law and Justice. Who knows maybe marijuana supporters might be able to change a thing or two in the new bill amending the Drug Addiction Control Act proposed by the Law and Justice, which is to be ready by the end of the year.

It’s harder to get admitted to day nursery than university, alarms Gazeta Wyborcza. An insufficient number of facilities across the country is down to the fact that many of them were closed down due to the decrease in birth rate and high unemployment in the mid-90s. Those parents who cannot or will not resort to nannies or grannies are stuck in a rut, as neither local authorities nor private investors intend to open new day nurseries. No wonder, since one facility with a capacity of 50 children would cost 5 million zlotys, as it must meet outdated strict sanitary regulations that should be done away with as soon as possible, claims the newspaper. The government is already working on new law, and also the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy plans to introduce an in-home daycare system, which simply means that the so-called day mommies will look after no more than three children at home, which apart from helping out parents, may also provide new jobs, writes Gazeta Wyborcza.

The project of constructing a new line of the underground in the capital is soon to go out to tender again come September or October, writes Życie Warszawy. And as opposed to the first bid, this time China stands a major chance of winning the deal, which would mean a new line for half the price offered by the European companies. China’s major assets are low labour costs and vast experience in building the subway in cities such as Shanghai and Beijing. And even if China does not win the tender, it may at least cut the European rivals down to size and prompt them to offer less inflated prices than in the previous bid, writes Życie Warszawy.