At the Modern National Convention, the PO chairman, Donald Tusk, outlined the current high cost of family holidays in Poland. Patryk Jaki, a PiS member of the European Parliament and a figure from Sovereign Poland, responded on Twitter to Tusk’s remarks.
Tusk laid out, according to his calculations, what a two-child family from Pułtusk would pay for a week-long vacation in Krynica Miszka. He painted a picture of a modest family trip, starting with the basics: filling a small car with fuel, and stocking up on road essentials like four bottles of mineral water for the journey. The day’s stops, such as a budget-friendly lunch at a Pasłęk McDonald’s, included two kids meals and two adult meals, framing the travel budget for the week.
In Krynica, the family would reserve the cheapest lodging available. A week in a basic house would cost around 2,450 PLN, a rate he suggested was the most affordable option in the area. If a hotel were chosen, the cost would climb well beyond six thousand PLN. Krynica Morska, while not the priciest destination, still represented a significant expense, with dinners featuring cod, fries, soup, and perhaps a waffle for the children. The expenses on the first day alone reached nearly 2,985 PLN, and by the end of six days the total was approaching seven thousand PLN, counting only lodging and three simple meals per day. A stop at an inflatable slide added an extra 30 PLN for both children, and a braided hairstyle for the little girls could cost around 30 PLN more.
The overall impression, as described by Tusk, was a costly holiday scenario that highlighted the strain on family budgets during peak travel times.
Jaki: ‘Inflation is mainly due to war and energy prices’
Patryk Jaki responded to Tusk’s statements on social media. He argued that the holiday costs described by Tusk reflected broader economic pressures, including inflation driven by conflict and energy prices. He pointed out that Tusk presents himself as close to ordinary families, yet he contrasted their holiday experiences with what he called a more comfortable life in distant locations like Peru, funded by government resources.
Jaki’s comment on the social platform drew a comparison between a family vacation costing about 7,000 PLN and what he implied were the weightier concerns about maintaining affordability. He suggested that the holiday budget for a family of four could be seen as a measure of broader economic conditions, including the costs associated with energy and travel during times of inflation.
In his view, the discussion extended beyond holiday plans to touch on how national leaders relate to everyday citizens. He noted that a public discussion about costs should be grounded in the lived experiences of ordinary people, not just political rhetoric.
Jaki also cited a contrast involving political figures: he claimed that while President Jarosław Kaczyński might meet ordinary people outside of party circles, he would have different experiences with everyday life than those visiting vacation spots funded by the state. The emphasis remained on connecting with the public and highlighting practical concerns over ceremonial appearances.
These exchanges were captured and circulated across social networks, where comments about politics, costs, and personal budgets continued to fuel dialogue among supporters and critics alike. The discussion reflected a broader debate about how inflation, energy prices, and geopolitical disruptions influence household finances and travel plans in Poland.
Overall, the exchange underscored how economic pressures shape public perceptions of leadership and policy. It illustrated a clash between perspectives—one focused on the tangible costs faced by families planning vacations, the other emphasizing political accountability and the link between government decisions and everyday living expenses.
Tusk’s remarks and Jaki’s counterpoints became focal points in a larger conversation about affordability, government responsibility, and the ways in which leaders engage with citizens on matters of daily life and budgeting. The discourse highlighted the ongoing challenge for policymakers to address inflation and energy costs while maintaining a sense of accessibility and trust with the public.