The end of March will mark the first 100 days of Donald Tusk’s government, which had promised to achieve 100 concrete goals in this period. The Economic Shadow Cabinet of the Business Centre Club assessed the activities of the new administration during this period.
Legislation, investments, public finances, infrastructure, problems in state treasury companies or healthcare – these were the topics discussed during today’s BCC think tank meeting. The meeting was opened by the chairman of the Economic Shadow Cabinet, BCC President Dr. Jacek Goliszewski, who asked the ministers to evaluate the government’s actions so far and presented recommendations for the coming months.
The experts, in assessing the actions of the new government, drew attention to the positive but also to unfulfilled campaign promises and risks.
Although 100 concrete goals were not achieved in 100 days, the BCC positively evaluated the actions taken by the new government i.e. activation of funds from KPO, assurances about conducting dialogue with entrepreneurs, announcing a deregulation package, working on improving the system of lawmaking, passing legislation on the financing of in vitro from the state budget, faster VAT refunds for entrepreneurs, and deferring the entry into force of KSeF. It also looks forward to the prospect of restoring social dialogue, legal order, and the implementation of specific actions aimed at facilitating business and improving the situation of Polish companies (and thereby increasing their competitiveness in the European market), as well as enabling entrepreneurs to take a significant part in the reconstruction of Ukraine. The BCC also drew attention to the increasing importance and need for investment in new technologies.
As for legislation, a stable regulatory environment based on correct legislation enables the maintenance of economic growth and private investments. This basis has been missing in recent years. The representatives of the new government have announced broad consultations with new regulatory projects. However, it was noted that these declarations only concern projects other than government projects.
In the economy, the declarations of the new government meet the expectations of entrepreneurs. The failure to fulfill the most expensive pre-election promises is seen as a sign of responsibility for the state of public finances.
As for the tax system, BCC positively assesses the postponement of the implementation of KSeF. The decision by the Ministry of Finance that KSeF will not become mandatory from the middle of the year or during 2024 was seen as a good move.
In terms of infrastructure, the signing of the first agreement for co-financing under the National Reconstruction Program was positively evaluated, and attention was drawn to the risks associated with the deadline for spending these funds.
As for state-owned companies, the fact that they have recently been carrying out many non-core activities and supporting the political goals of the previous government was noted. Currently, such actions are being identified to create tools to the maximum possible extent to mitigate the negative effects of such activities.
And in terms of Health Care, the adoption of the law on the financing of in vitro fertilization from the state budget and the Ministry of Health project – “Safe, Conscious Me” were positively evaluated. The program will be implemented from June 1 this year and no less than 500 million PLN is to be allocated for this purpose every year.
