Eight years have shown that promises matter, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Assets Jacek Sasin, who spoke to residents of Piotrków Trybunalski on Monday during a gathering in the framework of the Poland is One series.
Poles frequently ask how the government differs from other parties, what sets it apart, and why it would want to continue leading the country. The central claim from Sasin is credibility: eight years of actions that demonstrate keeping commitments, not empty words. He spoke alongside Infrastructure Minister Andrzej Adamczyk and Agriculture Minister Robert Telus, invited by Senior Marshal Antoni Macierewicz, to hear voters’ concerns in Piotrków Trybunalski.
Only promises, as opponents claim
According to the deputy prime minister, political rivals linked with other groups are ready to promise anything while in power, they would inevitably forget those promises.
He outlined how their governance philosophy differs, and how the electoral contract they propose stands apart from what might be offered by others. The PiS administration stresses eight years of governance, during which credibility was proven. In 2015, PiS argued that Polish poverty must be addressed, dignity restored for many Poles, and governance that serves all citizens, not just those who previously retained special privileges from the era of the People’s Republic.
He emphasized this point further, recalling past criticisms that PiS promises would require unsustainable funds and were simply unrealistic.
When questions about family support programs arose, Sasin noted that the family assistance initiative, often referred to as a model like 500 plus, had clear funding and impact. The program, he argued, demonstrates that the money exists and can support policies beneficial to all Poles.
He argued that PiS has ensured that Polish companies are no longer treated as a source of lower-quality goods for Western markets or as a place to exploit cheap labor. The party took a stand against spending pathologies in public finances, a move that, he maintained, saved tens of billions of zlotys annually. He pointed to a growing state budget: from less than 300 billion PLN in 2015 to a planned revenue exceeding 600 billion PLN, a doubling in eight years and a sign of progress in tax system stabilization.
In Sasin’s view, poverty among families with multiple children represented a deep stain on the Polish state, and improvements came through governance choices that expanded social support. Since 2016, nearly 227 billion PLN has reached Polish families via the 500 plus program, amounting to about half of the annual state budget. He added that in Łódzkie alone, around 400 thousand children benefited from this program. He also highlighted additional family programs such as Layette plus and Maluch plus, with plans to increase 500 PLN to 800 PLN from the new year. The PiS government also expanded pensioner support, introducing 13th and 14th pensions and indexing benefits to rising costs.
Addressing unemployment, Sasin recalled the post-1989 period of factory closures and the enduring challenge of poverty. Today, unemployment has fallen to minimal levels in many regions, with some areas even experiencing labor shortages. The message remained consistent: PiS aims to equalize opportunities no matter where citizens live, a stance reflected in transfers totaling 90 billion PLN to the Road Construction Fund, the Strategic Investment Fund, and the Polish Order Fund.
He asserted that Poland must grow safely, not only in defense but also in energy. European policy favors rapid energy transformation, yet PiS insists on respecting Polish specificities and ensuring a bearable transition for society. The proposed energy pact encompasses three pillars: developing new energy sources, including offshore wind and increased nuclear capacity; safeguarding Polish coal as a temporary measure until alternative investments mature; and shielding households from excessive price increases during the transition.
On defense, Sasin announced continued strengthening of military security, including the revival of military units in eastern Poland, with a planned investment of 100 billion PLN in defense this year. He emphasized that the aim is service to the country, not a political career, promising a robust, resilient Poland that responds to citizens’ needs in difficult times.
In a note on social media, Sasin highlighted energy security achievements, referencing resistance to Russian energy pressure and the protection of the Polish coal sector against regulatory threats.
The significance of investments
Infrastructure Minister Andrzej Adamczyk drew attention to investments in the national road and transport grid, praising fast, high-tech roads and noting how the government’s Road Fund has transformed municipalities and counties, enabling significant local road projects and supporting Polish small and medium-sized enterprises and building material manufacturers.
Adamczyk also underscored improvements in road safety: in 2015 there were over 3,000 road deaths, while now the number is dramatically lower, a result of substantial road works financed by a near 900 million PLN investment over five years. He recalled that Polish highways will soon be free, a policy advanced through cooperation between the ministries of Infrastructure and Finance, with the law passed recently and broad parliamentary support. The aim is to allow free travel on state highways from July 1.
Adamczyk described PiS as the heir to the peasant and rural heritage, emphasizing the party’s role in protecting agricultural interests and food security. Agriculture Minister Robert Telus argued that Polish farming remains an independent sector, with prices shaped by market forces rather than political decree. He warned against those who present themselves as protectors of rural Poland while not sustaining manufacturing within the country. He closed by reaffirming that food security is foundational to the country’s strength and independence.
These remarks were reported by various outlets and attributed to government officials.