Polish lawmakers on Thursday rejected three motions tabled by right-wing opposition parties to dissolve parliament, giving breathing space to the unpopular ruling party who could hold onto power for several more months.

The 460-seat Sejm, or lower house of parliament, fell short of a two-thirds majority, or 307 votes needed for the passage of the motions, each brought by different right-wing opposition parties.

In the first two votes, 253 lawmakers voted for dissolution, with 172 against. In the third vote, 255 lawmakers voted for and 172 against. A vote to dissolve parliament will mean early elections in June.

As a result, the ruling center-left Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) will remain in power until elections in the fall, though its governing has been weakened by its single-digit poll ratings and by hostility among many lawmakers.

Prime Minister Marek Belka, who is disappointed with the corruption-plagued SLD and favors early elections, said Thursday he would present his resignation to President Aleksander Kwasniewski on Friday.

Earilier, Belka had said if his resignation is rejected, he will focus on state affairs rather than political activities of parties in the coming weeks or months.

He also said he will take part in a ceremony on May 8 marking the founding of the new Democratic Party to be led by former Prime Minister Tadeusz Mazowiecki, and will "automatically" be a founding member of the party.

Kwasniewski has said he would not accept Belka's resignation before May 17, when Poland finishes hosting a Council of Europe summit.

Source: Xinhua