"100 specifics for 100 days". Budgetary assumptions show how Tusk lied to Poles

Following the publication of the budget targets for 2025, the difficulties encountered by the government in implementing their electoral promises are becoming increasingly apparent. The Citizens' Coalition presented an ambitious improvement plan to be implemented in the first 100 days of the government. However, many of these demands have not only been fulfilled during this period, but are besides not intended to be implemented throughout the first year of governance.

Funeral allowance: changes in plans

One of the key topics addressed by the Civic Coalition was the increase in the ceremony allowance. Donald Tusk promised to rise this benefit by 150%, which was to increase the amount of the allowance to PLN 6939. In fact, according to the budgetary assumptions for 2025, this benefit is expected to increase to PLN 4626 gross, and there is presently no secured funds for subsequent increases.

The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy initially proposed an increase of the allowance to PLN 7000, with yearly value. However, Finance Minister Andrzej Domański proposed the amount of PLN 6450 without valorization. Ultimately, the decision to shift the increase of the ceremony allowance to 2026 was made, given the expected costs of this reform, which would amount to about PLN 2 billion. Failure to implement this promise raises questions about the consequences for those benefiting from this support in the coming years.

Belt taxation and tax-free amount: future reforms

Deletion of Belka's taxation was another promise to be realized in the first 100 days of the government. The cost of this improvement was estimated at around PLN 9 billion, which was an crucial budgetary challenge. According to the Deputy Finance Minister Jarosław Neneman, the government intended to introduce amounts of tax-free income from savings and capital investments. taxation exemptions would apply to certain limits on income from forward deposits and bonds included in separate savings packages. However, above these limits, the Belka taxation would stay at 19%.

The promise to rise the tax-free amount besides encountered difficulties. The bill was tabled by a group of Confederate Members, but was lost in the vote, which caused disappointment among the voters of the Civic Coalition. Prime Minister Donald Tusk explained that although the government does not quit this plan, its implementation is not possible this year due to budgetary constraints. The resources to be utilized to rise the tax-free amount were directed towards security-related activities. However, Tusk pointed out that the government would return to this task next year, and by the end of the word the tax-free amount would become a fact.

Housing: 0% credit and rent surcharge

One of the most anticipated programs was a credit of 0% for the acquisition of the first flat and a rent surcharge of PLN 600 for young people. The Civic Coalition announced the launch of this program during the first 100 days of the government. However, there were critical voices in the election run that signalled withdrawal from this proposal.

Pośłanka Lewicy Anna Maria Żukowska informed that "credit 0%" would not be there, but only a program of inexpensive housing to rent, which pushes Left. A akin opinion was expressed by Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz from Poland 2050, pointing out that a 0% debt would lead to a further increase in housing prices, which would benefit banks and developers only, alternatively than young people.

Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski confirmed that PLN 4.28 billion was allocated to construction in the budget for 2025, which may let the implementation of part of the housing debt programme, but the scale of this aid will be limited compared to the first assumptions.

Summary

The analysis of the budgetary assumptions for 2025 shows that many of the key promises of the Civic Coalition will not be realised within the announced deadline. Budgetary and precedence safety spending has importantly reduced the possibilities for implementing reforms on allowances, taxes and housing. Although the government declares that it does not quit these plans, their implementation has been postponed in time. In the context of these difficulties, the question arises as to what further steps will be taken by the Citizens' Coalition in the coming years to regain the assurance of voters and meet their promises.