The year 2024 was supposed to be a breakthrough for deregulation in Poland. However, the reality fell far short of expectations. The government announced ambitious plans in this area, but numerous challenges slowed down the legislative process, leading to disappointment among business owners and experts.
Witold Michałek, Vice President of BCC and an expert on legislative processes, reflects on the past year.
Deregulation Bill – Delays and Missed Opportunities
At the beginning of the year, a special team was formed to draft a deregulation bill. Experts were invited to collaborate, and consultations were held to identify areas of the economy needing regulatory simplification. The process seemed to have gained momentum – the bill was published in April, offering hope for swift implementation.
Unfortunately, legislative progress has stalled since then. “To this day, eight months after the draft was published, it has not advanced further in the legislative process. We consider this a delay and, in some sense, a failure on the part of the government,” experts emphasize.
The recommendations are clear: the government should complete work on the draft as soon as possible, adopt it as a resolution of the Council of Ministers, then efficiently guide it through the legislative process in parliament and publish it after obtaining the President’s signature.
New Regulations in Parliament – A Step in the Right Direction
Against the backdrop of delays in the deregulation bill, a recent initiative to amend parliamentary regulations stands out positively. In line with the milestones outlined in the National Recovery Plan (KPO), the authorities decided to implement procedures to improve the quality of legislative work, especially for parliamentary initiatives and non-governmental projects.
The implemented changes include:
- Mandatory public and expert consultations,
- A minimum 30-day period for conducting these consultations,
- The preparation of detailed regulatory impact assessments at a level comparable to government projects.
These steps aim to enhance the rationality and efficiency of the legislative process, which is crucial for developing coherent and transparent economic regulations.
Deregulation – Still a Key Challenge
Deregulation remains one of the most significant challenges for the Polish economy. Simplifying regulations and reducing bureaucracy are essential for boosting the competitiveness of Polish enterprises and improving the conditions for doing business.
“2024 showed us how challenging deregulation is for the current government. Nevertheless, we hope that accelerating work on the deregulation bill and implementing changes in parliamentary procedures will lead to a clearer and more efficient legislative process in the coming years,” Witold Michałek concludes.
Deregulation is not only an expectation of business owners but also a prerequisite for accelerating economic growth and increasing investments in Poland.
“In light of the current state of public finances and the economic slowdown in the EU, it is crucial to efficiently implement the promised reforms,” adds the BCC expert.
Source: CEO.com.pl
