Campus Polska Przyszłości is such an interesting place where PO politicians often drop a few words of truth. Last year we heard that the Marshal of the Senate, Tomasz Grodzki, wants to liquidate hospitals, and that Sławomir Nitras plans to strip Catholics of their privileges. This year, a few words of truth escaped former Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz. The former head of the PO-PSL government said when asked about the 500 plus program:
Instead of more than 500, we gave a fishing rod, not a fish, increased the number of places in nurseries and kindergartens, built highways, eagles for children. These were things that seemed very relevant and important to us. (…) Without the fact that we behaved responsibly, ie I behaved as a head of government, but my ministers also behaved, they would have nothing to give, and they do it every day in an irresponsible way
said the former prime minister.
The story that the PO left the budget in such good shape that Law and Justice could introduce further programs that are an investment in families is not new. Every now and then one of the PO politicians talks about it. The truth is that families and family policies have never been important to PO. It is also clear that the PO still considers family support to be a giveaway, even though it was the PO that demanded that the 800-plus program be introduced in June, halfway through the budget year. It was a clear trap for the ruling party and an attempt to overthrow the budget. However, it is surprising how Ewa Kopacz dealt with Donald Tusk’s story in a few words that she invented this program, but failed to implement it. After all, shortly after his return from Brussels, in July 2021, Donald Tusk argued:
Literally on the same day (at the end of the financial crisis – ed.) it was recognized that Poland had managed to get through the crisis in such a way that large social programs could also be launched, which I am convinced we would do. performed at the same time
– said the leader of the PO at the time.
Ewa Kopacz had already prepared a project very similar to 500 Plus with similar results, but she was in the last year of putting things in order after the global financial crisis. I know we won’t convince many people, but I want you to know what it really looked like
– said Tusk in 2021.
Ewa Kopacz just admitted that it didn’t look like it at all and that she still doesn’t like the “gift”. Was the PO planning to hide them? Moreover, on August 13, 2015, before PiS won, she argued:
I will not sign my name to a project that I know is nothing but an empty promise. (…) There are no funds for such ideas in the state budget for 2016
– said Ewa Kopacz about PiS’s election promises.
She also threatened that if the idea was implemented, Poland would follow Greece’s path.
But for us Poles, Greece is a big warning. I wish we were wiser before the damage than after the damage
– said Ewa Kopacz in 2015.
The consequences of what happened in Greece are due to irresponsible promises made to them (Greeks) by politicians who told them, “Live beyond your means, it will be financed with foreign money.” The Greeks have been misled. I would not want the election campaign to become a period in which someone deceives the Poles. I don’t want to allow it
argued the former prime minister.
Today he knows that no one deceived the Poles and that the promises were kept. It was enough to deal with the VAT mafia.
There is no money for these promises of Law and Justice and there will be no money for the next four years. If PiS implements them, it will lead to catastrophe
– said Jacek Rostowski, former deputy prime minister and finance minister, before the 2015 elections.
Pre-election Law and Justice promises were also ridiculed by Donald Tusk. Just after Law and Justice announced a “new, universal child allowance” of more than PLN 500 per month, Donald Tusk spoke about the idea at a conference in Zakopane:
I can even give an example that shows how important such an open and honest conversation is, also with people, at such times, for example when elections are approaching or when serious social projects emerge. Because, for example, if I hear a really cool idea and I’m not going to scoff at it, the state in Poland would have to pay PLN 500 per month for every second and subsequent child (…), then there’s really no need to wait for some . In the next election I am seriously ready to talk about it today, but as far as I know there is no way to fund this project. I would like to give not for the second 500, but for the first 1000 per month. And because I think it’s easy to make promises like that, if there’s someone who knows how the state works, how much money can be taken from the taxpayers, it might be worth talking to them, in this case me, talk about whether it is possible or not. I would very much like (…) – that if someone says that he will give PLN 500 for each child – someone can force the promising person to indicate exactly how it can be financed. Because if there is an idea how to finance it, then you cannot hide it, because it is a pity every day. If someone in Poland knows where these billions are buried (…) and they can be immediately launched and distributed to the people, I will be the happiest Prime Minister in Europe if I can be the author or co-author of such a project
Tusk sneered.
The Family 500 plus program came into effect on April 1, 2016. Today, 500 plus is also available for the first child, regardless of family income. From January 2024, this amount will be increased to PLN 800. And this is not a promise, because the bill has already been signed by President Andrzej Duda. As much as PLN 250 billion has been spent on the implementation of the family support program over the past seven years, improving the lives of 7 million children. Poverty finally no longer had a child’s face. And today PO politicians can only hope that young people don’t remember how they argued that this was not possible.
Source: wPolityce