During a joint press conference, leaders from the Law and Justice party raised three questions for the Third Way, focusing on tax policy, euro adoption, and energy subsidies. They asked whether the Third Way would back the PiS proposal to restore a zero VAT rate on food, whether the party would support Poland joining the eurozone, and whether Minister Hennig-Kloska would submit a bill to expand the energy shield to continue financial support for energy consumers through the second half of the year.
PiS Vice President Mateusz Morawiecki and PiS Parliamentary Club President Mariusz Błaszczak framed the questions as a test of the Third Way’s alignment and reliability. They noted skepticism about the Third Way’s responses and called for clear positions ahead of the upcoming Sejm session.
The discussion highlighted earlier campaign promises about affordable student housing and volunteer programs, clarifying that terms like dormitories for one zloty or volunteer SISTER could not be taken at face value. The speakers emphasized that such slogans require real policy commitments and transparent implementation, urging the Third Way to disclose whether any pledges exist in the early stages of government formation.
– remarked MP Błaszczak, who also announced parliamentary scrutiny of PiS members at the Ministry of Climate and Environment to assess whether a project exists that would mitigate the impact of liberalizing energy prices in a way that benefits a broad group of consumers.
He underscored the concern that any proposed measures might be narrowly targeted, suggesting that a genuinely effective program should cover a larger segment of energy customers rather than a select few. These remarks set the stage for a broader examination of energy policy and consumer protection.
Earlier, during campaigning in Praga Północ, a draft law prepared by the PiS Parliamentary Club to maintain the zero VAT rate on food was presented to the public in the presence of a candidate for Warsaw’s mayor, Tobiasz Bocheński. The party stated that, in line with the Sejm majority, the proposal would come up for discussion, urging the Third Way to allow it to be debated and potentially passed into law.
Parliamentary leaders stressed that any movement on the bill would require cooperation from the Third Way. While they expressed cautious optimism, they also warned that skepticism remained about the likelihood of support from the other side of the aisle. The test would come as the Sejm session approached and as the political landscape continued to shift between the parties involved.
Morawiecki then commented on the eurozone question, drawing a comparison between Poland and Slovakia’s paths. He recalled that Slovakia has joined the eurozone in recent years, while cautioning that the euro has not always served every country well. By citing examples from other member states, he urged a thoughtful approach to any decision about adopting the euro, emphasizing the need to consider both economic indicators and long-term consequences.
In discussing the Gaza situation, Morawiecki noted the loss of volunteers, including a resident of Przemyśl, and insisted that the government must address the incident with a clear explanation. He called for accountability and a thorough briefing from the Prime Minister and relevant authorities, arguing that Poles deserve transparent answers about disturbing events abroad and their implications at home.
Regarding the three questions for the Third Way, Morawiecki reiterated that the zero VAT for food could be restored if a favorable majority formed in the Sejm with Third Way lawmakers. He argued that the coalition had sufficient capabilities to advance the measure without depending on other parties, urging the Third Way to demonstrate goodwill through decisive parliamentary action.
On the eurozone issue, he urged reflection by looking at Slovakia’s experience, as well as the broader economic context in Europe. He suggested that careful analysis and prudent policy choices should guide any move toward euro adoption, outlining a preference for evidence-based decisions that protect national interests and fiscal stability.
Finally, Morawiecki indicated that the energy price question would be pivotal for Poland’s households. He questioned whether policymakers had prepared tariffs capable of freezing electricity and heating prices, and whether compensation programs would adequately support those earning below the national average. He argued that the government should avoid measures that would widen the financial burden on families and called for a plan that preserves affordability for allPoles, emphasizing the importance of clear, sustained support rather than ad hoc actions.
The overall message stressed by the PiS leadership was that current inflation and price dynamics should not be used as a pretext for political maneuvering. They pointed to economic indicators, such as inflation trends, and suggested that responsible governance requires durable policies, not opportunistic timing ahead of elections. The group asserted that the path forward needed broad-based consensus and tested commitments, arguing that any step on VAT, euro adoption, or energy subsidies should be accompanied by transparent processes and broad parliamentary support.
In closing, the speakers reiterated that the government would continue to pursue measures aimed at protecting consumers and stabilizing prices, while encouraging constructive dialogue with the Third Way to resolve these critical policy questions. The dialogue, they argued, should be rooted in clear objectives and a practical plan that serves the public interest across the nation.