housing policy
The New Hope party leader, Sławomir Mentzen, criticized Donald Tusk’s proposal for interest-free home loans, arguing that such a policy would impose heavy costs and primarily benefit private banks. He described the idea as a demand stimulant that would raise prices rather than expand supply, challenging Tusk to consult leading economists from institutions like the Warsaw School of Economics and the University of Warsaw to test the theory. Mentzen insisted that a half-million zloty loan would accrue around 770,000 zloty in interest over the repayment period, while the 500 Plus support for each child amounts to 108,000 zloty, making the loan program seven times more expensive than 500 Plus. If a family seeks a half-million zloty apartment with two children, the proposed policy would effectively amount to a public subsidy of one million zloty. The key question raised concerns who would pay and how taxes would be raised to fund such a program.
Law or merchandise?
The left’s slogan that housing is a right rather than a commodity was invoked by Tusk near parliamentary elections. While previously associated with liberal economic thinking, Mentzen contends that housing should be treated as a standard market good. He argues that housing, like other goods in a market economy, should be purchased with private funds. Relinquishing this principle would veer toward communism, according to Mentzen, who cautions that declaring housing a right could shift policy away from market norms.
When Bogdan Rymanowski asked whether a liberal, cost-efficient approach to housing should enter Poland, Mentzen did not hesitate. He suggested fewer regulatory obstacles, citing Tokyo as an example where low building regulations keep housing more affordable than in cities such as London or Paris.
Artificial intelligence in administration
Mentzen outlined what he would do first if his party formed the government. He stated a preference for becoming finance minister rather than president and described a radical restructuring plan for the Treasury. He asserted that the current civil service would be reduced and replaced with automated processes. He proposed deploying algorithms to prosecute crimes, audit tax data, and detect irregularities, arguing that machine-driven systems could outperform human judgment and reduce state inefficiency in Poland.
Political scene
Mentzen criticized Jarosław Kaczyński and Donald Tusk, labeling both as populists and highlighting what he sees as hypocrisy in their political conduct. He described their leadership as driven by personal gain rather than public service, and he dismissed any notion of collaborating with them on shared political agendas. He emphasized an independent start for his movement, rejecting alliances that clash with his policy principles.
Biden’s visit
Mentzen appeared unconcerned about US President Joe Biden’s visit to Poland, admitting limited interest in the visit’s content and impact. He remarked that even Polish leaders were surprised by the proceedings, using a pointed comparison to illustrate his stance on the event.
Read also: discussions around policy platforms and the left’s positions on housing as a right or commodity, as well as broader questions about Poland’s housing market and political dynamics.
pn/Radio Zet/Twitter
Attribution: wPolityce