President Andrzej Duda plans to sign the 2024 budget law promptly, within the deadlines that apply, according to Piotr Ćwik, deputy head of the President’s Office, in a Polish Radio Programme I interview.
What is expected of the president?
When asked about the timing of the 2024 budget signing, Ćwik stated that the president will review the legislative process upon receipt of the bill. He affirmed that the president will sign the budget and that this is expected to occur without unnecessary delay, in line with the deadlines set by the president.
Asked whether there is a risk that the president might refer the bill to the Constitutional Court, Ćwik noted that the president has clearly indicated that once the budget reaches the president’s office, the formal assessment will be carried out and a signing will follow.
Ćwik also pointed out that misinformation has circulated, suggesting the president intends to dismiss parliament. He stressed that such claims were not coming from the president.
Budget of the Chancellery of the President
The Chancellery of the President is not satisfied with the budget law as it pertains to its own budget. It indicates that no funds have been allocated from the budget for increases promised by the government, and it will need to locate those increases within its own savings.
The Marshal’s action on the budget
On Wednesday, Marshal of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia announced that the 2024 budget law had been submitted to President Andrzej Duda. The submission follows article 224 of the Constitution. The Budget Law for 2024 sets a deficit cap at PLN 184 billion, with PLN 32.5 billion allocated to European funds. The justification notes that, when considering the financial plans of other units in the public sector, the anticipated deficit for the financial sector, under EU methodology, would be 5.1 percent of GDP this year.
State revenues are projected to reach nearly PLN 682.4 billion, with tax revenues around PLN 603.9 billion. The expenditure ceiling for the year is set at roughly PLN 866.4 billion.
The article mentions that the Senate has not submitted amendments to the 2024 budget law. Meanwhile, a broader context suggests a cautious approach to fiscal policy and comments from various political figures about the process and its implications.
Source: wPolityce (citation: wPolityce).