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Poland could become EU net payer within decade: conservative leader

12.07.2021 07:45
A new set of ambitious post-pandemic goals recently unveiled by its governing conservatives could turn Poland into a continental powerhouse and a net contributor to the EU budget by the end of the decade, the country's conservative leader has said.
Jarosław Kaczyński, head of Polands governing conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, speaks during a meeting with supporters in the northern town of Rypin on Sunday, July 11, 2021.
Jarosław Kaczyński, head of Poland's governing conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, speaks during a meeting with supporters in the northern town of Rypin on Sunday, July 11, 2021.Photo: PAP/Paweł Skraba

Jarosław Kaczyński, who heads Poland's ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, said his party's new multi-billion investment and reform programme, known as the Polish New Deal, was intended to bring about a major positive change throughout the country and give a fresh boost to the economy as it emerges from the coronavirus crisis.

“This civilizational change will have an impact on the whole of Poland, on all social groups and all regions," Kaczyński said on Sunday as he embarked on a nationwide tour to promote the Polish New Deal plan.

During a meeting with residents in the northern town of Rypin, Kaczyński, who also serves as a deputy prime minister, said that the day his country "becomes a net contributor to the European Union's budget will be a great moment for Poland.”

“Becoming a country that pays more into the common budget than it receives will mean Poland joining the club of the strongest and most affluent nations,” he told the gathering.

"We will be able to achieve this by implementing the Polish New Deal during the next 10 years or so," Kaczyński declared. 

"This will be a great moment in our history, marking the first time Poland's average level of economic development becomes the same as in the West or the EU,” he added.

The governing conservative party’s ambitious Polish New Deal programme, unveiled in May, aims to boost the economy after the pandemic, plough more money into public healthcare and education, and give parents extra social benefits.

(mrs/gs)

Source: PAP