During the election convention to the European Parliament in Lubaczów the following people were present: Marek Kuchciński, Speaker of the Sejm and President of the Subcarpathian Law and Justice party (PiS), Lucyna Podhalicz, Subcarpathian Voivode, Piotr Pilch, Vice-Marshal of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, Teresa Pamuła, Vice-Chairman of the Podkarpackie Regional Assembly and Director of the Subcarpathian Branch of the ARMA, Maria Fajger, President of the Podkarpackie Regional Development Agency. The speakers included: Piotr Pilch, Deputy Marshall of Podkarpackie Voivodship, Teresa Pamuła, Deputy Chairwoman of the Sejmik of Podkarpackie Voivodship and Director of the Podkarpackie Branch of ARMA, Maria Fajger, President of the Agency for the Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture in Warsaw, Marta Tabaczek, Chairwoman of the Lubaczów Poviat Council and Zenon Swatek, Starost of Lubaczów.

In his introduction, Marek Kuchciński recalled important anniversaries of March 12, i.e. the founding of the NSZZ "Solidarity" of Individual Farmers, the founding of the "Agreement of the Center", which triggered changes after 1989. On July 12, Jozef Pilsudski died, as well as General Wladyslaw Anders. He also spoke about the great anniversaries of this year, such as the establishment of the bicameral Sejm, the Polish-Lithuanian Union, and the Legislative Sejm, all of which are part of our heritage.

- I am talking about this so that we realize how much experience our generation carries with it today," emphasized the Speaker.

Kuchciński noted that Law and Justice, without cutting itself off from its roots, thinks about both history and the future, thinks in terms of intellect, culture and economy, Christian values and economic development, as well as the safety of Poles.

- We are the first party after the elections of '89 to realize its program. Others had beautiful slogans, but they did not live up to them. In the 1990s, together with the Left, they sold off the national property, liquidated factories, strategic industries... We are credible, which we proved by the realization of our program', said the Speaker of the Sejm.

Marek Kuchciński also listed the points of the so-called Kaczyński's Five:

• "Thirteenth pension" in the amount of PLN 888 per hand for each of the 10 million pensioners. The law has been passed, and the money is already being paid out.
• "500 plus" for each child, after application payment from July 1.
• Reducing labor costs. Raising deductible costs and lowering the PIT from 18 percent to 17 percent for all workers will reduce the fiscal burden and increase the real wages that Poles receive.
• No PIT for employees up to age 26. The relief will cover all employees up to the age of 26 who have a contract of employment or commission. The change will give stable employment among young people and make it easier for them to start their careers.
• Restoration of local bus services - a special fund for local governments for local transport. Project in the Parliament.

The President of the Law and Justice party in Podkarpacie pointed out that the party's success in the local government elections to the Sejmik of the Voivodeship and in most districts is the result of hard work. In the elections to the European Parliament, which will be held on May 26th, this success should be repeated. We must ensure the highest possible turnout. Poland needs a strong representation in Brussels, which will represent us with dignity.

- The basis of our actions was and is credibility. We keep our word. Some of the announced demands have already been implemented and others will be adopted in the coming weeks. Earlier promises were not kept: the retirement age was raised, VAT was increased, funds from Open Pension Funds were taken away - said Kuchciński.

The Speaker of the Sejm recalled the socially important and developmental programs introduced by Law and Justice which have already been implemented:

• School starter kit - Good Start

300 PLN support program for students under 18 years of age. Every year, in August, parents receive 300 PLN for a school starter kit for each child w 2017- 4.6 million students

• We lower CIT - we lower taxes

In 2016. PiS reduced the CIT for small and medium-sized companies from 19 to 15 percent. As of January 1, 2019, another CIT reduction is in effect - from 15 to 9 percent! To one of the lowest levels in Europe! The rate of 9 percent is still in force in Hungary and Montenegro. The introduced Change covers about 400 thousand companies.

• Accessibility plus over 8 years - PLN 23 billion

A program for seniors and all those who need assistance in everyday life. It is intended to provide real accessibility to places that many Poles today cannot normally get to. Buses, railway stations, blocks of flats must be accessible for everyone. There are 4.3 million people with disabilities in Poland.

In addition, a minimum pension provision has been introduced for women who have given birth to and raised at least four children. They will receive the minimum pension regardless of how much they have worked professionally. Families with 4 or more children in 2011. 184.7 thousand, in rural areas and 88.6 thousand in urban areas.

• Small company - Small Social Insurance Institution

Lower ZUS for companies with a monthly turnover up to 2.5 minimum wages in Poland. Now a small company pays 1230 PLN. After the change - 660 PLN.

• Local roads

A local road construction fund worth at least PLN 6 billion has been established for the repair and construction of local roads. In 2016, according to the Central Statistical Office, only about 60 percent of urban public roads have a paved surface.

In 2016 in Poland - 420,236 km of public roads, of which freeways and expressways accounted for 3171 km.

   The tasks completed by PiS:

Programs: Family 500+, 15% CIT for entrepreneurs, free medicines from the age of 75, lowering the retirement age, raising the minimum hourly wage to over PLN 13, raising minimum pensions, withdrawal of the compulsory sending of six-year-olds to school, the Constitution for Business, the ban on buying up Polish land, the Good School reform - these are just some of the projects announced that have been implemented in these more than two years;

      List of completed election pledges:

State reforms

• Education reform - Good school - 8-year elementary school, 4-year high school, 5-year technical school, trade schools.
• reform of the tax administration and establishment of the National Tax Administration,
•  judicial reform.

Social reforms

• Family 500 plus program (2.5 million families, 3.7 million children),
• Lowering the retirement age to 60 and 65 (350,000 in 2017),
• free drugs for seniors,
• increase of the minimum wage to PLN 2250 and the hourly rate to PLN 14.7,
• Raising the lowest pensions to PLN 1063,
• Sunday trade restriction,
• An increase in health spending to 6% of GDP in the coming years,

Education reform

• Good school - 8-year elementary school, 4-year high school, 5-year technical school, trade schools,
• Abolishing compulsory education for 6-year-olds,
• A ban on taking children away from their parents because of poverty.

Economy

• fight against VAT fraud - only in 2017, an increase in revenue of PLN 30 billion
• reduction of CIT from 19 to 9% for small companies and start-ups
• reform of tax administration and establishment of KAS - National Fiscal Administration
• increasing the tax-free amount to PLN 8 thousand
• Sunday trade restriction,
• Business Constitution - e.g. change of the relation between the entrepreneur and the office, possibility of non-registered activity for small business, 6-month relief in ZUS contributions for beginning entrepreneurs.

Security

• Establishment of the Territorial Defense Forces,
• Modernization of uniformed services (e.g. police, army) - allocated PLN 9.2 billion, including over PLN 4 billion for pay rises,
• Enhancing energy security (e.g. start-up of gas transport to the Świnoujście Gas Port, construction of Baltic Pipe).

Agriculture

• Increased spending on agriculture and rural development - 49 billion in 2018,
• Insurance for farmers,
• Protecting Polish land from buyouts,
• Opening 30 new foreign markets for Polish products.

Photo by Marta Olejnik

• 

•