His hands dropped in a gesture that signaled a moment of sharp relief. The central question hanging in the air asked why the referendum had been boycotted. Jacek Sasin, a member of the ruling coalition, commented on the arrival of Ryszard Petru on platform X, and his tone suggested satisfaction that foreign rail operators would soon be permitted to operate on Polish rails. The remark framed the ensuing discussion about how the country plans to shape its rail market and who stands to benefit from such changes.
Ryszard Petru, a deputy from the Third Way club, welcomed the statements issued by Janusz Malinowski, who had just taken the helm at PKP Intercity. Malinowski spoke of a timetable in which foreign carriers would gain access to Poland’s rail market, signaling a potential shift away from a strictly domestic framework toward broader competition.
There was a sense among observers that a new approach was taking hold and that the days of a rigid PKP monopoly could be drawing to a close.
During the discussion, Michał Jamroż, a moderator from a regional daily, asked when foreign operators might begin running on Polish tracks. He pointed to a likely timeline toward the end of 2026, and Malinowski replied that the state-owned operator had moved away from defending a monopoly position and was prepared to open the market to competition sooner rather than later.
The enthusiasm was evident in Petru, who cited material from a national newspaper interview with Malinowski as support for his position.
– Jacek Sasin from the ruling party, a former deputy prime minister and minister of state assets, commented on Petru’s evident happiness during the exchange.
Earlier remarks about political promises and fiscal space had circulated, noting that a tax-free amount pledge would not be fulfilled within this term due to budgetary constraints and competing priorities within the government.
That’s why they boycotted the referendum
The path forward for PKP companies remained a focal point. It was disclosed that 4,142 employees at PKP Cargo would face job losses, with reductions potentially affecting pregnant workers and those impacted by floods. PKP Cargo has long been Poland’s leading rail freight operator. The announcements from Malinowski about a more open market, along with supportive statements from coalition allies, raised concerns among observers about the future of the national rail framework and the consequences for workers and regional economies.
A few weeks earlier, Deutsche Bahn conducted an asset inspection of PKP Cargo’s holdings, a move that drew sharp reactions from critics. Petru welcomed the prospect of increased foreign competition as a lever for change, while opponents warned about foreign influence over important national assets. The broader debate touched on the role of foreign lenders and the pace of privatization under the current administration, fueling questions about how the referendum boycott would be interpreted in light of these developments.
– Sasin later shared a brief note on social media, reiterating his perspective on the ongoing discussions and the momentum surrounding the market openness.
In subsequent discussions, analysts drew attention to potential job losses at PKP Cargo and questioned the actions of the acting head of the company, who was reported to have advised unions on how to respond to the changing landscape.
koal/X
End of excerpt.