Thanks to a carefully planned financial policy, the state budget remains strong, with funds secured for social and investment programs, according to Jarosław Kaczyński, Deputy Prime Minister and President of PiS. He remarked that years of claims that there would be no money are resurfacing as a political argument, pointing to a return of a previous doctrine associated with Donald Tusk.
Concerns about a budget gap
The PiS leader was asked by the press about opposition statements from Izabela Leszczyna, Ryszard Petru, and Andrzej Domański. They warned that there is a substantial hole for Morawiecki in the 2023 state budget, arguing that the plan is unrealistic and proposing a white paper on finance as a response.
Responding to the opposition’s discourse, Kaczyński described these narratives as a single, ongoing fairytale meant to justify drifting away from election pledges.
He added that, contrary to pre-election claims by Tusk and his allies, the current period shows a shift away from the proposed agenda and raises concerns that the social programs could be scaled back, that prudent economic decisions might be rolled back, and that state assets could be sold. In his view, a return to past practices is evident, an echo of the period before 2015.
PiS president: PO’s promises amounted to deception
Kaczyński stressed that the platform has not changed in recent years. He argued that what was promised during the election campaign was later revealed as manipulation and a broad fraud.
He noted that the party’s campaign was conducted honestly, grounded in facts and concrete data.
He also pointed out that allegations of mismanagement were unfounded, stressing that accusations of wasteful practices were not supported by the facts. He observed that wherever Platform politicians appear, there are claims that resources were not allocated to every priority.
He recalled a period when the narrative “there is no money” dominated political discourse, and suggested that this precept has resurfaced under Tusk’s leadership at both national and local levels.
Reflecting on the past, he recalled that during the Platform era, Poland faced the EU’s excessive deficit procedure, with funds flowing from the state budget to various tax evaders and illicit networks. He asserted that a well-structured financial policy has since placed the budget on solid footing, securing funds for social and investment programs, including targeted pensions and family support measures.
He affirmed that measures such as increments to pensions and child benefits are guaranteed components of the current approach.
Significant adjustments in the tax system
In this context, Kaczyński highlighted historic reductions in income tax and an increase in the tax-free allowance to a substantial level, along with adjustments to the first tax threshold. He stated that these changes leave more income in Poles’ pockets.
He emphasized that a sizable portion of citizens do not pay PIT taxes at all, and that tax cuts have contributed to higher disposable income, particularly when compared to other OECD countries in the near term.
Looking back to spring 2023, he cited a wave of PIT refunds totaling billions of zlotys, noting how people previously misled by opponents felt relieved after receiving substantial refunds and seeing the promised outcomes materialize.
Sunday trading prohibition
Kaczyński also addressed the issue of Sunday trading restrictions, a flagship policy of the current government, and its economic impact on workers. He described the prohibition as a consultative measure designed in dialogue with working-class communities.
In many European countries, Sundays are often a day off for large-format stores, which aligns with the principle of giving people time to rest and spend with family. This policy also created opportunities for smaller, family-run shops to expand their offerings during the week and maintain competitiveness. The policy has had a similar effect on cultural venues such as theaters, cinemas, and cafés, which have become popular Sunday gathering places for many citizens.
According to Kaczyński, proposals to lift the ban on Sunday trading are seen as a lobbying effort by large foreign firms, supermarkets, and multinational retailers. He argued that these plans reflect a broader attempt by certain leaders to serve foreign interests rather than the national economy.
The Deputy Prime Minister underscored that the government believes the position on Sunday trading is rooted in the interests of ordinary working families rather than external business interests.
Several political observers and commentators are referenced in subsequent commentary, including analyses of shifting positions and debates about the direction of policy. The discussions underline ongoing political competition and differing visions for Poland’s future, particularly as the government seeks to balance social commitments with market dynamics.
In summary, the current administration emphasizes the stability of public finances, the preservation and expansion of social programs, notable tax relief for individuals, and cautious regulation of retail activity to protect families and local businesses alike.
This overview reflects the ongoing dialogue about economic policy and its real-world effects on households and communities, weighing past practices against current decisions and projecting the potential implications for the future of Poland’s public finances and social safety nets.