Inflation in Poland remained high but did not surpass 19 percent. Yet, many economists and commentators unsettled the public with alarming forecasts. Some voices even claimed that they were mistaken and conceded that the President of the National Bank of Poland, Adam Glapiński, was correct in his readings.
At this moment, a substantial majority has formed the basis for challenging the NBP President before the State Tribunal, as expressed by Donald Tusk. In December, Sławomir Nitras argued on Radio Zet for summoning President Glapiński before the Tribunal, arguing that the public would likely view his actions as betraying the mandate and oath, serving the interests of a single political party rather than the state.
Read more: The platform faces a problem. How can Glapiński be accused of politicization when previous governors included Belka and Balcerowicz, who were also prominent figures in Polish economic policy?
A key aspect of the criticism aimed at the NBP was the assertion that the economists evaluating Poland’s situation were simply wrong. Inflation rose to 19 percent in January 2023 and then, in line with NBP forecasts, settled into a creeping inflation pattern afterward.
Mariusz Zielonka of the Lewiatan Confederation wrote in December 2022 that despite government and central bank assurances, inflation would stay in double digits through 2023. He projected that the removal of anti-inflation shields would raise inflation early next year, potentially surpassing 20 percent in February, and that falling below a 13 percent target would be unlikely within the year.
Kazimierz Krupa, former editor-in-chief of Forbes, continued to warn in January 2023 that inflation would rise for several reasons, including energy price changes. He expected higher inflation, likely around 20 percent, possibly in February or March.
Dr. Sławomir Dudek, head of the Balcerowicz Civic Development Forum, echoed warnings a year earlier on a television program, predicting cumulative inflation might reach extraordinary levels across the government’s term, suggesting a possible 50 percent total and calling it a record in the European Union.
Professor Marian Noga also argued in RMF FM during the autumn of 2022 that it would be very likely to see a peak in the first quarter of 2023, perhaps around 22 percent.
On television and radio, even prominent figures such as Ryszard Petru were cited as predicting higher inflation in the spring, with discussions about how households should manage savings amid rising prices.
Marcin Czaplicki of the Warsaw School of Economics contended in February 2023 that inflation in Poland was still accelerating, a view echoed by Dudek who warned that trouble lay ahead. In reality, the trend moved in a different direction.
President Glapiński’s press conferences are frequently accompanied by humor and sharp remarks toward other experts. The examples above illustrate that these criticisms often reflected the public and political climate surrounding Poland’s inflation debate. — Source: wPolityce