Przemysław Czarnek, the official PiS candidate for Prime Minister, proposes a temporary VAT cut and tax reduction on fuel amidst criticism of opposition leader Donald Tusk at a press conference, which led to a confrontation with a journalist.
Przemysław Czarnek, the official candidate of the Law and Justice party (PiS) for the role of Prime Minister, announced his proposal for a temporary reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) from 23% to 8% and an approximate reduction of fuel excise duties by around 9-10%. This initiative is presented as a response to the increasing fuel prices that Poles face when visiting gas stations. Czarnek emphasized that the objective is to ensure that Polish citizens genuinely feel state support during the ongoing crisis.
During the conference, Czarnek also launched a critique against Donald Tusk, the leader of the opposition, accusing him of misleading Poles and failing to intervene in rising fuel prices. The situation escalated during a question and answer session when a journalist from TVN24 raised concerns about the potential risks associated with his proposals, particularly that lowering fuel prices could result in citizens filling up their tanks excessively, potentially leading to fuel shortages for essential services like ambulances and military units.
Czarnek's response to the journalist was dismissive, stating that in times of crisis, he is not concerned with EU law, hinting at a stance that prioritizes immediate economic relief over compliance with external regulatory frameworks. This confrontation highlights the growing tensions between the government and media as political campaigning intensifies ahead of upcoming elections in Poland.
