News In Brief

Poland seeks public advice on food price increases

The Polish government Saturday unveiled proposals for increases in food prices, but in an effort to forestall protests it said the public could choose how they would be implemented. It said Poles could decide between two lists, one of which would include higher subsidies for low-income earners. The new prices will take effect Jan. 1.

The announcement said basic food prices would rise by between 10 and 15 percent, but the cost of butter would increase 40 percent and chicken by up to 70 percent. Previous attempts to raise the price of heavily subsidized food in Poland have provoked violence. In 1980 they brought strikes and political turmoil, leading to the formation of the now banned Solidarity trade union.