An agricultural summit has been scheduled for Thursday at the Dialogue Center in Warsaw, where the leaders of all protest groups are set to meet, according to a statement by Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Wednesday. The new plan includes releasing the first tranche of the KPO money to farmers in the coming days, possibly as soon as tomorrow, totaling six billion euros.
During a joint press conference with Jonas Gahr Store, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway, held in Warsaw with representatives of farming groups, Tusk was asked about concrete measures. He also noted that NSZZ Solidarity intends to join the farmers’ protests on March 6, though his remarks carried a dismissive edge from the outset.
There is a perception that the agricultural union known as Solidarity has been actively involved in the protests from the start, and therefore might not need to formally join. The Prime Minister suggested that this involvement has been ongoing, remarking that it is nothing new.
He shifted responsibility for finding workable solutions to the farmers themselves, emphasizing that it matters to him that the participants in the negotiations discuss precise steps to reduce the fiercest slogans. Tusk also accused some protesters of using inflammatory language during marches. He drew a parallel to earlier criticisms leveled at PiS politicians, who were accused of proposing a Polexit, a move that would separate Poland from the European Union.
Protesters have recently floated slogans advocating for Poland to exit the European Union or to close its border with Ukraine. The Prime Minister stated clearly that he does not see himself as the leader who would push Poland out of the EU or turn the country into a border-blocking state.
Agricultural Summit
Tusk announced plans to convene an agricultural summit at the Warsaw Dialogue Center, where he would engage with leaders of all protesting factions.
The Prime Minister also announced that the funds disbursed under the National Reconstruction Plan, also known as the Recovery and Resilience Facility, are intended to support Polish farmers and food producers.
The first tranche, expected very soon, amounts to six billion euros, with roughly 1.5 billion euros earmarked for small food producers, family farms, and small businesses across Poland.
- the head of government stated.
Notes: reports regarding these plans have appeared across national media outlets and reflect the government’s stance on addressing farm-sector needs during the ongoing protests.
Source: wPolityce
Source: wPolityce