Polish PM says plans cabinet reshuffle soon

WARSAW, Dec 9 (Reuters) Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, whose coalition has been hit by a sex scandal, said today he would soon reshuffle his cabinet.

Former prime minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz is set to return to the cabinet after a defeat in Warsaw mayoral elections last month, though Kaczynski declined to say in what role.

Kaczynski played down speculation Finance Minister Zyta Gilowska, who denied reports this week she had submitted her resignation, was in the running to take over as governor of Poland's central bank in January.

Polish media reported on Thursday that Gilowska had threatened to resign, possibly in response to plans for Marcinkiewicz to take over her remit as deputy prime minister in charge of economic policy.

''I have proposed (to Marcinkiewicz) a place in the government,'' Kaczynski told public radio in an hour-long interview. ''I would not like to say (what role he will take).

''A review is being conducted that may lead to changes in particular ministries ... I am entirely sure it will not relate to either of these women (Gilowska or Regional Development Minister Grazyna Gesicka).'' Kaczynski refused to be drawn on the likely outcome of an investigation into the sex scandal that has engulfed his leftist coalition partners Self-Defence in the last week.

The party's leader, Deputy Prime Minister Andrzej Lepper, faces allegations that he and a close associate employed female party workers in return for sex.

Kaczynski has said he would sack Lepper if prosecutors charged him in the affair, raising the prospect of Self-Defence withdrawing from the coalition and sparking an early election.

''I am not clear what exactly happened,'' Kaczynski said. ''It may be that in the case of Andrzej Lepper there is nothing. I am not going to act on the basis of media reports.'' Kaczynski said his twin brother, President Lech Kaczynski, was likely to announce his candidate for central bank chief next week.

''Professor Gilowska has never aspired to take this role, so it is a difficult position for her when she is rumoured to be running for it and then does not get (the job),'' he said.

''I believe the president will take the decision next week.'' REUTERS AB KN1738