Przemysław Czarnek, speaking at a meeting in Staszów, warned that fuel prices could soon reach 10 zlotys per liter. “The government is fleecing Poles, taking money out of their pockets. It is also squeezing farmers who head out to work in the fields,” said the Law and Justice (PiS) candidate for prime minister.
During the event, Czarnek outlined what he described as Poland’s most pressing problems. The opposition politician pointed to a collapse in public finances, noting that his party had submitted a motion to expand the Sejm’s agenda to include a report on the state of public finances.
“Tusk must explain where, for example, the 7–8 billion zlotys in VAT revenues for February have gone — funds that should have been collected. Seven to eight billion! He must tell us what public finances really look like and where we are heading,” the PiS candidate said.
“We do not want a Greek-style tragedy,” Czarnek added, arguing that Greece’s neglect of public finances led to cuts in wages and pensions, as well as a sharp rise in unemployment.
“We will not allow that, Tusk,” he declared.
Canister Prop — and a Jab at Tusk
The PiS lawmaker also argued that other countries had taken steps to ease the burden on citizens and lower fuel prices. “We are already paying 9 zlotys per liter today. A trip from Lubin to Staszów already costs 250 zlotys. Who will be able to afford it?” he asked, placing a fuel canister bearing an image of Donald Tusk on the table.
“The government is fleecing Poles, taking money out of their pockets. It is squeezing farmers heading out to work in the fields. That is why we submitted a bill to reduce VAT and excise duty, but it is stalled. Czarzasty is keeping it in consultations,” he said.
Czarnek also referred to another proposal allegedly being held up by Speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty — a presidential bill on cheaper electricity, which he said has been “in the freezer” for 137 days.