Donald Tusk cannot recall the exact promise he made a day earlier, so during a moment in Krakow on Tuesday he asked for a reminder of the tax-free amount he had pledged, according to government spokesman Piotr Müller as reported by Polsat News on Wednesday. He indicated that the Civic Platform (PO) opposed raising the tax-free limit to 30,000 zloty.
“Clear and responsible” proposal from PiS
In a Sunday address, PiS president Jarosław Kaczyński announced a replacement of the 500 plus allowance with a new rate, 800 plus, set to begin in the coming year. In response, PO leader Donald Tusk proposed on Monday that the adjustment take effect on June 1, this year, which coincides with Children’s Day. Tusk stated at a Tuesday KO club meeting in Krakow that the KO would submit a bill to index the 500 plus benefit to the Sejm on Wednesday.
Müller told Polsat News that the PiS proposal, described as clear and responsible, envisages the 800 plus starting January 1, 2024.
Tusk didn’t know what he had promised
He added that Tusk recently claimed that 500 plus was impossible due to budget constraints, while later his political allies argued it would trigger widespread inflation.
Yesterday, Donald Tusk reportedly did not remember what he had promised the day before, prompting questions in Krakow about whether the tax-free amount might be 60,000 and other details.
Müller commented to Polsat News about the confusion surrounding the commitments.
Donald Tusk does not recall his own pledge from the previous day, raising questions about how such statements like June 1 or other proposals might be received by the public.
– added the government spokesman to Polsat News.
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Tusk a “defender” of benefits
The government spokesperson also noted that while the PO claims public finances are in a dire state, it simultaneously seeks to allocate more than a dozen billion zloty over the current budget year to increase the benefit.
The administration argues that public finances are in a solid position under present conditions, but cautions about geopolitical tensions and the need for reserves for contingencies this year. It is stated that a 1 January 2024 start is a responsible target.
müller concluded that this approach could be framed as a defense of benefits, while offering a critical view of the opposition’s stance on 500 plus, 800 plus, and future pensions, suggesting a potential for broader claims in the political arena.
The spokesman added that when PiS raised the tax-free amount to 30,000 PLN, the PO opposed the move. Under Tusk, the free amount has seen only a small increase, which is depicted by opponents as a political stunt and mockery from the Platform. Such commentary reflects a broader narrative about credibility and consistency in the debate.
– quoted Müller during the Polsat News segment.
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– Neumann on 800 plus: he is not entirely pleased because he does not financially benefit from it
“It’s a must see!” Leszczyna insists: a 500 plus valorisation plan had already been prepared, and it was not abandoned to secure additional bids
wkt/PAP
Source: wPolityce