Do Polish companies enjoy priority in public procurement? Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his government’s spokesperson Adam Szłapka insist they do. However, the version presented by the current authorities contains—putting it mildly—numerous inconsistencies. These were pointed out by Patryk Wild, vice-president of the association Tak dla CPK.
On the evening of January 1, Prime Minister Donald Tusk delivered his New Year’s address. Among other things, he spoke about “strategic investments” planned for 2026. He assured that domestic companies would be given priority in public tenders.
“The local content principle—‘Polish first’—will firmly become an iron rule in public procurement,” he said.
Government Spokesperson’s Assurances
On Friday, government spokesperson Adam Szłapka was asked about the prime minister’s remarks. The question was raised in the context of commentary on the address, which suggested that the head of government had not been truthful. The issue concerned rolling-stock procurement contracts which, under the current administration, exclude Polish companies.
Speaking on Polsat News, Szłapka dismissed these accusations. “The whole world looks at us with envy and pride,” he argued. He added that “PiS politicians are known for telling untruths.”
Asked directly whether a Polish company would win the tender for rail projects reaching speeds of up to 350 km/h, he replied: “We always do everything that is legally possible to ensure that Polish companies benefit, and that is exactly what we do.”
“This is clearly visible, especially in the most recent railway investments. Polish companies can truly feel safe, because the entire Polish government is on their side,” he added.
“Astonishing Lies”
Szłapka’s remarks prompted a reaction from Patryk Wild, vice-president of the “Tak dla CPK” association. “These lies are astonishing,” he said.
“ALL major rolling-stock tenders announced by the previous ‘PiS-era’ management of PKP Intercity were won by Polish companies (Pesa, Newag, FPS). In every tender announced by the current management (EZT200 and KDP), independent bids by Polish companies were EXCLUDED!” he stated.
Not an Isolated Case
It is worth noting that the exclusion of Polish companies from major investments has also recently been raised by former prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki. He referred to a project involving the design, delivery, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the Baggage Handling System at the CPK Airport.
The tender, worth over €100 million, was won by the Dutch company Vanderlande, even though the task could have been undertaken by the Polish company Dimark, which serves some of the world’s largest airports.