Since Donald Tusk took the helm of government, Polish people have become much more pessimistic about their financial situation.

Nearly 60 per cent of Poles say their financial situation has worsened over the past year, according to the latest IBRiS survey conducted for the Polish daily Rzeczpospolita and cited by the Salon24 news portal. Young people and those approaching retirement believe they are in the worst situation, which is a serious warning sign for all candidates ahead of the first round of the presidential election coming up in May.

In the IBRiS survey, respondents were asked to assess their financial situation compared to the previous year. About 57.5 per cent stated that their living conditions have deteriorated, meaning that nearly six out of ten Poles consider themselves poorer than a year ago. Meanwhile, 29.8 per cent reported no change, and only 9.3 per cent said their situation has improved.

The highest levels of dissatisfaction were recorded in two age groups: 82 per cent of those aged 18-29 reported a decline in their financial well-being, while 85 per cent of those aged 50-59 felt the same. The most optimistic group was those over 70, with only 19 per cent stating that their situation have worsened. The deterioration in living conditions is most pronounced among rural residents (67 per cent), but more than half of those living in small and large cities (55 per cent in each group) also perceived a decline.

„Tusk Does Not Represent the Interests of Poles”

„There are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and that Tusk will cheat again,” said right-wing politician Slawomir Mentzen during a forum focusing on the election. The candidate of the Confederation party also accused the prime minister of prioritising Ukraine’s interests during Poland’s EU presidency.

„He will push for Ukraine’s unconditional accession to the European Union. What interest do we hold in this? Ask the farmers what they think about it. What will happen to Polish agriculture if it comes into conflict with large-scale Ukrainian agriculture? We will lose food security. This is not in Poland’s interest. In the EU, every country looks after its own interests. And it sets conditions before agreeing to EU enlargement. And Tusk? Well, he looks after Ukrainian interests,”

the right-wing politician emphasized.