Prime Minister Donald Tusk officially acknowledged that his government would not raise the tax-free amount to PLN 60,000 as promised before the election. The decision sparked a wave of disappointment – does Tusk give up his most recognizable promises after just two years of government?
A promise that attracted hundreds of thousands of voters
The increase of the free amount to PLN 60 thousand was one of the most important electoral slogans of the Civic Coalition. It was included in "100 concretes for the first 100 days of government". No wonder – change would be a real support for millions of taxpayers and a catchy slogan, because it is simple to understand.
Tough fiscal reality
Donald Tusk in recent interviews stated that the increase in the free amount "will certainly not be in 2026, or likely in 2027". He stressed that the current budget will not bear this change, because the priority is security spending – Poland spends as much as 5% of GDP on armaments today, which is a record in Europe. The Prime Minister explains that the war just beyond the eastern border forces the transfer of funds from other important projects to the military.
Are voters disappointed?
The polls leave no illusions – more than half of Poles believe that Donald Tusk's government has failed to fulfill its promises. Among the biggest disappointments is the question of the tax-free amount.
However, the flexibility of the government has not limited itself to this issue. From the "100 concretes" a year later, only a part of the postulates were realized. The examination of political and financial realities proved to be very difficult for the current team. Studies show that even some voters in the ruling coalition admit that they expected more.
Why won't there be a higher free amount?
Key reasons:
- International situation and the highest defence spending in decades
- EU excessive deficit procedure on Poland
- Cost of introducing a new amount estimated at PLN 50-55 billion per year – each delay is an attempt to maintain a balance between promises and fiscal realities
What about Tusk's promises?
The government ensures that the subject of a higher free amount has not been definitively deleted, but priorities have changed. "When we are ready with the project and the terminus, I will let you know," says the Prime Minister. For now, however, voters can feel like passengers on the station whose train left unannounced.
Important Questions Unanswered
Failure to comply with one of the main promises of "100 concretes" strikes the credibility of the rulers. It also shows how difficult government compromises are in the face of unforeseen circumstances. Whether voters will show understanding whether they will lose their trust permanently – this is the question to which the next elections will answer.
