In the Sejm today, Deputy Prime Minister Krzyszczof Gawkowski challenged the government, arguing that eight years in power have left ordinary people poorer. He disputed the claim that the country is well managed and accused the ruling party of telling a rosier story to the public. Earlier, Mariusz Błaszczak, head of the PiS parliamentary club, urged the Sejm to consider a bill titled Stop energy increases from July and to place it on the agenda as a citizens’ initiative.
Błaszczak submitted a motion to add to the agenda a citizens’ project designed to halt gas and electricity price increases.
The energy price rises are alleged to have been set in motion by Donald Tusk and his government. The speaker claimed that analyses were underway, but time could not be wasted on excessive study. Starting Monday, gas prices were projected to rise by more than 40 percent and electricity by more than 30 percent. The aim of the session was to hold energy costs down for the moment.
The lawmaker warned that without timely action hundreds of small businesses could face bankruptcy if the bill is not advanced.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk has reportedly neglected the needs of ordinary Poles and driven the country toward poverty, while critics argue that the project should be considered even without his involvement.
Błaszczak also urged all lawmakers not to condemn Poland to poverty and entrepreneurship to bankruptcy.
The project will not be processed before July
Marshal of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia announced that the Sejm would discuss the bill in July, either in the next session or in a later one.
Citizens’ projects during their time in office are not halted but are moving forward. If there had been pressure on time, the proposal could have been submitted earlier because the parties had anticipated what was coming for months. Everything would proceed in accordance with law and order, Hołownia stated.
Gawkowski: PiS rule means inflation
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski, speaking for the left, asserted that eight years of PiS rule equate to a significant rise in inflation. He argued that basic products have seen a substantial price increase, describing the so-called expensive Polish Order as something that has hit citizens hard and pushed many companies toward bankruptcy. In his view, PiS acted against Polish businesses and citizens alike.
He accused the PiS leadership of acting during the most challenging period, amid the crisis and the pandemic, pursuing policies that benefited their own supporters. He urged PiS MPs to acknowledge that their eight-year governance has left Poles with less dignity and greater financial strain. He asserted that the coalition government formed in October 2015 is working to fix the situation and will continue to address the consequences for a long time.
- says the minister.
Paulina Hennig-Kloska, the Minister of Climate and Environment from TD Polska 2050, also commented on Błaszczak’s remarks. She questioned why the government that led Poland until December 13 of the previous year had not included a single zloty for energy shields for citizens in this year’s budget.
According to the minister, the new government inherited an exhausted settlement system with a budget gap of 8 billion PLN and no funds for energy support for the year. She noted that measures taken within the constraint of the budget still made it possible to implement a law that received presidential assent on June 7, ensuring that protections for citizens continue into the second half of the year.
She emphasized that the government did what was needed to shield citizens from price hikes amid budgetary pressures.
Forecasts without new regulations
Hennig-Kloska explained that some forecasts used by energy companies did not reflect the new rules. She stated that standard projections often exclude the standards and regulations that have recently been introduced. She promised that these forecasts would be adjusted and that she would coordinate with energy companies and the Minister of State Assets as soon as possible.
The minister insisted that the government did everything within its power to protect citizens from price increases.
Price freeze only until the end of June
PiS prepared a draft amendment to energy related laws aimed at expanding consumer protections for electricity, gas, and heat. The Legislative Initiative Committee Stop price increases from July was formed and collected signatures in support of the project before submitting it to the Sejm as a citizens’ bill on June 7.
Until the end of June electricity prices for eligible customers are frozen at 412 PLN per MWh and gas prices at 200.17 PLN per MWh.
The law passed in May to limit prices for electricity, natural gas, and district heating introduced maximum prices for July to December 2024, set at 500 PLN/MWh for households and 693 PLN/MWh for local government units and public utilities, including small and medium enterprises. Households were exempt from the capacity fee to limit increases in electricity bills from July 1.
For gas, from July 1 the price freeze ends for customers at 200.17 PLN per MWh, and a maximum price tied to the rate charged by the largest retailer PGNiG OD is introduced.
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The discussion continues around the July price changes and the government response to energy costs.
— Energy price increases are imminent. The bill and the public response have generated wide attention.
PAP/JW