Credibility in politics matters, and the recent stance of the PO-PSL government on raising the retirement age has been described by United Right members as undermining trust in leadership. They argue that the leaders of PO have not demonstrated consistent positions, and their statements against any increase today appear contradicted by past actions.
On Wednesday, United Right figures such as PiS spokesman Rafał Bochenek, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment Jacek Dekora, and MP Dariusz Stafaniuk led a press briefing in the Sejm. They recalled how PO politicians voted on the retirement age and displayed cardboard cutouts representing PO figures, including KO club head Borys Budka, PO Secretary General Marcin Kierwiński, and MP Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz, with inscriptions detailing how they voted on the retirement age.
The central question
Coincidentally, a referendum question slated for October 15 asks whether the retirement age should be raised beyond 60 for women and 65 for men. The ruling party, Law and Justice, has long held a clear view on this issue. Yet in recent years, various statements from opposition members, including Civic Platform and PSL, have been perceived as inconsistent or ambiguous by supporters of the current government.
That point was emphasized by Bochenek.
Therefore, as he stated, the “masks have fallen.”
Yet, the emphasis in politics often lands on actions rather than words, and those actions are reflected in votes. By examining how individual lawmakers vote, supporters say, one can discern true intentions.
The PiS spokesman underscored this distinction.
He recalled that back in 2012, amid strong social protests against raising the retirement age, the Civic Platform supported the move. He suggested that leaders who had previously assured the public they would not raise the age later implemented policies that did exactly that.
Bochenek pressed the point about credibility in politics and noted that the same question of retirement age resurfaced in later years. He argued that the 2012 decision and the later 2016 repeal attempt showed that some PO positions did not align with their pre-election promises—even when the public was told otherwise.
These remarks were summarized by the spokesperson as a matter of credibility in public life.
How did the votes unfold?
Deputy Minister Dekora pointed to the cardboard PO figures and indicated that current Sejm MPs and electoral list leaders voted differently on the retirement age. For example, Krzysztof Brejza reportedly supported raising the retirement age, Borys Budka did as well, while Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz voted in 2016 against raising the age. This contrast was highlighted to illustrate shifts in positions over time.
Ongoing commentary noted that the Civic Platform has voted on the Polish pensions issue on more than one occasion. In 2012, when the retirement age was raised, their MPs voted in favor, but when a bill to restore the original retirement age was introduced by the United Right, they reportedly voted against it or abstained in related votes.
The Deputy Minister framed these events as part of a pattern in which opposition parties have toggled their positions. He urged clarity from PO leaders and called for a referendum to proceed in Poland rather than being influenced by external voices.
Stefaniuk added a closing note to the discussion.
In closing, the discussion underscored the demand for explanations from opposition leadership and reinforced calls for a nationwide referendum to address the retirement age issue without external prompts.
gah/PAP
Attribution: wPolityce