Laws have been vetoed, such as the so-called chain law, strongly supported by the Left. Where do you see the reasons for President Nawrocki’s stance?
– Yes, of course we wanted to improve the living conditions of animals. Unfortunately, the so-called chain law was vetoed. It is difficult to understand.
And this is our major problem, because so far the president has already vetoed 20 laws. Similarly, the president vetoed the first bill in more than twenty years to establish a new national park. But there is a veto. The same applies to imposing additional taxes on cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol, as well as an additional tax on products harmful because of their sugar content. I am afraid that the main reason for these vetoes is a partisan, short-sighted approach to politics.
What long-term goal do you consider the most important for Poland today?
– The strategic issue for Poland is to move away from the economy based over the past 30 years on cheap labor and foreign capital. We must move toward a modern model based on technology, our own innovations and patents. This is a challenge for the next dozen or so years, one that I am also working on as deputy chair of the Sejm Committee on Economy and Development.
How do you assess the achievements of the New Left over the past year in the context of Lower Silesia?
First, we managed to pass a law reducing the so-called copper tax.
As a result, this year Lower Silesia will receive an additional more than PLN 500 million. Next year it will be PLN 750 million, or perhaps more, because the price of copper is quite high, and similarly the year after that.
These funds will be used to construct new shafts at KGHM, improve working conditions and hygiene, particularly for people working underground. Above all, they will be used to improve infrastructure, which has a major impact on the condition of the natural environment. For example, desalinating water flowing into the Oder is important.
Water is also connected with another important success – securing funds for and renovating the Pilchowice Dam. As is known, it is a very old dam that suffered significant damage during the last flood and required immediate renovation. We are talking about an amount exceeding PLN 100 million. The work is already under way; I believe the renovation will be completed this year.
What changes await the so-called Turoszów Coal Basin?
– Last year, on my initiative, the Parliamentary Team for the Socio-Energy Transformation of the Turów Subregion was established. The team’s task will be to secure funding for the area’s energy transformation, primarily Zgorzelec, the municipalities of Zgorzelec County and Lubań County.
This will require money from the European Union budget for 2028–2034. Decisions on allocating these funds will already be made in Warsaw this year. I hope that some of this money—one billion, perhaps two billion additionally—will go specifically to Zgorzelec and Bogatynia; this is extremely important.
The team’s second task is to create conditions facilitating investment and the creation of well-paid jobs in the Turoszów Coal Basin. So there will certainly be no shortage of work.