Confederation Leaders Press for Major Reforms in Poznań Rally
In Poznań, Confederation leaders Sławomir Mentzen and Krzysztof Bosak addressed a gathering on Friday, outlining a bold agenda that includes abolishing ZUS and reforming the tax and healthcare systems. During the rally, Mentzen invited Ryszard Petru to the stage and made clear that he does not support a coalition with PiS, stating, I do not sign for a coalition with PiS.
Mentzen stressed that the history of PiS shows the party has a pattern of dissolving its coalition partners. He warned against ending up like past figures, expressing a desire to avoid future alignments with PiS. Bosak echoed the sentiment, describing the Confederation as society’s self-defense against the loss of freedom, money, and opportunities to build prosperity on one’s own terms.
Mentzen vs. Petru
Ryszard Petru, who was invited to speak, pressed Mentzen on the issue of ZUS, asking if the party still supports its abolition. Mentzen replied that ZUS should be abolished as soon as possible, characterizing it as a large financial pyramid.
Petru invited the Confederation leader to participate in a debate.
Following the exchange, Mentzen stated that he would not debate under those circumstances, noting that he had agreed to a debate in the past and that he felt misled by the other side. He criticized the other participant for following him across Poland and speaking about him in every interview, concluding that the dynamic was perplexing.
Mentzen underscored the need for change in Polish politics and suggested that the Confederation could be a key driver of that shift.
Participants described the ruling party, PiS, as having governed Poland for years and expressed fatigue with the current state. The speakers highlighted perceived deficiencies in pension and healthcare systems, giving examples meant to illustrate systemic problems. One account described a woman in Tarnobrzeg facing delays for a specialist referral and long hospital wait times, with food quality at hospitals cited as substandard.
In his critique, Mentzen estimated that hospital food costs exceed 20 PLN per patient and contrasted living costs for Ukrainians with those for Polish citizens, arguing that the current system imposes unequal burdens on residents and visitors alike.
He also criticized the tax framework, arguing that Polish taxpayers shoulder costs not only for Polish citizens but for others, and questioned why taxation varied by profession, calling the system among the worst in the European Union. He questioned the rationale behind multiple flat tax rates across diverse occupations.
– said the Confederation leader.
Poland in the EU from the Confederation’s View
Krzysztof Bosak argued that Poland should pursue an independent policy within the European Union, including autonomous migration and visa rules aligned with Poland’s own interests. He warned against policies imposed from outside and cautioned against binding quotas that would require financial penalties to avoid compliance.
Bosak claimed that the Confederation is the only party willing to tackle difficult, unpopular topics. He emphasized the need to address economic concerns, civil rights, and the protection of Poland’s sovereignty within the EU. He framed the Confederation as a stand for freedom of expression and for healthy public discourse.
Bosak described the Confederation as a response to what he called systemic overreach by authorities and a defense of individual liberty in an independent Poland. He insisted that the party’s aim is to preserve personal freedom and reduce perceived external control over national affairs.
In closing, the message from the rally portrayed the Confederation as a movement of citizens who want to live freely in a country that is truly independent. The remarks reflected a desire for political renewal and a reassertion of national self-determination, framed as a defense of everyday freedoms and economic autonomy.
– Krzysztof Bosak added.