On Telewizja wPolsce24, Zbigniew Bogucki, a member of the Law and Justice party, challenged the new flood relief package, saying the aid is far from enough for people facing the flood’s toll. He described the law, which takes effect today, as a first step that does not fully address the immediate needs of households and small businesses coping with damaged homes, disrupted livelihoods, and mounting repair costs. The criticism underscores a broader debate about how governments respond to natural disasters and how program design translates into real, on the ground support for residents in flood zones.
The bill, referred to by supporters as a special flood law, includes several targeted relief provisions. Notably, it offers up to a year of mortgage payment relief for households strained by flood damage, and it provides tailored assistance for students and local entrepreneurs operating in affected areas. The measure also outlines eligibility criteria, application procedures, and the roles of regional authorities in distributing funds and monitoring use. Beyond direct financial help, the framework aims to stabilize communities, keep schools open, and support small businesses as the recovery begins.
Earlier discussions saw PiS draft its own version of a flood relief statute, crafted to accelerate aid and align with the party’s priorities for disaster response. That proposal did not advance through the legislative process, leaving the current law as the instrument for immediate relief. Critics argued the earlier plan could have delivered faster and broader aid, while supporters maintained that the new framework already reflects essential guarantees for mortgage relief and grants for students and entrepreneurs.
Help comes too late
In remarks to the same broadcaster, Bogucki noted that the party had drafted its flood relief bill earlier and argued that had the measure passed when first introduced, relief could already be flowing to those in need. The point highlights a recurring tension in Polish politics between rapid crisis response and parliamentary procedure, with advocates saying faster action helps communities sooner and opponents emphasizing the need for careful oversight and clear funding sources.