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Poland’s authorities, opposition to discuss coronavirus relief plan

23.03.2020 07:30
Poland’s authorities and opposition are set to meet by teleconference on Monday to discuss a proposed relief plan aiming to shield the country from the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
Polish President Andrzej Duda.
Polish President Andrzej Duda. Photo: PAP/Mateusz Marek

The planned fiscal stimulus plan is expected to be debated as part of a National Security Council meeting convened by the country’s president.

Poland's government last week unveiled a PLN 212 billion (EUR 47 billion, USD 52 billion) stimulus package to shore up the economy and shield the country from the impact of an intensifying coronavirus outbreak.

President Andrzej Duda said on Saturday that the package would temporarily exempt many self-employed Poles and small firms from social security taxes.

The National Security Council advises the president and includes senior officials such as the Speakers of both houses of parliament, the prime minister, the defence, interior and foreign ministers, and prominent politicians from both the government and opposition.

The head of the president’s National Security Bureau (BBN) is also a member of the National Security Council (RBN).

Poland’s bitterly divided government and opposition earlier this month vowed to join forces to stave off the coronavirus.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told US broadcaster CNN last week that measures taken by Poland to curb a coronavirus outbreak appeared to be "quite effective" because the number of infections was lower than in other countries in Europe.

Poland has temporarily closed its borders to non-residents as part of efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

A total of 634 people have tested positive for the Covid-19 disease in Poland, with seven deaths from the coronavirus so far, officials said on Sunday.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP