Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki spoke with mayors and deputy mayors of cities from different regions of Poland about cooperation, the economy and further investments. The government provides local governments with a general subsidy, i.e. additional funds from the state budget for current expenditure and investments. In 2023, we have increased the general subsidy by 18.2 per cent compared to 2022. This means that this year local governments will receive a total of more than PLN 85 billion. In addition, we are allocating a further PLN 14 billion to supplement the general subsidy.

Since 2015, we have introduced policy changes for local authorities. We support investments in villages, municipalities, small and medium-sized towns and large cities. Thanks to government programmes such as, among others, the Government’s Strategic Investment Programme, local investments are being made all over Poland to serve Poles. Residents can benefit from new road infrastructure, sports fields, additional nursery places or Senior+ clubs. As late as 2023, local authorities will receive an additional PLN 14 billion in funding for their purposes. A priority for our government is the sustainable development of all localities across Poland. This would not be possible without tightening the tax system and repairing public finances.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, together with Minister of Finance Magdalena Rzeczkowska, presented the amendments that the Council of Ministers adopted in this year's budget. We will allocate additional funds for teachers, state budget sector employees, and local governments. This is the result, among other things, of the agreement signed this week with the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarity”. We always turn words into deeds – that was the case with the 500+ Programme and that is the case now. Amending the budget would not have been possible if it were not for the reform of public finances and effective fight against the VAT mafias.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarność”. Amendments to support employees have been agreed as a result of talks with the union. Among them are the repeal of the lapse of the bridging pensions scheme and additional measures for public sector employees. Over the last few years, we have repeatedly shown how we care for both employees and employers – for example by reducing taxes. In response to the crisis caused by the pandemic or the war across our border, we have always implemented shields to protect Polish families. Our actions produce tangible results – according to Eurostat, the unemployment rate in April 2023 was 2.7%, which makes us, together with the Czech Republic, leaders in the European Union with the lowest unemployment rate.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki visited Huta Stalowa Wola, to which he donated PLN 600 million for further development and investment. Thanks to government support, Huta Stalowa Wola will be able to efficiently produce the state-of-the-art infantry vehicle 'Borsuk', as well as work on the production of the Polish version of the K9 Thunder gun-howitzer. Support for Polish entrepreneurs is one of the government's priorities. Investing in the Polish arms industry is also part of the modernisation and development of the Polish Armed Forces. In 2023, we are allocating nearly 4% of GDP to strengthening our defence potential.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stressed that the operation of the Turów Mine is crucial to ensuring Poland’s and the region’s energy security in the coming years. The Polish government does not agree to close the mine. This would result in the loss of thousands of jobs in the region. The Turów Power Plant supplies between 5% and 7% of electricity to hospitals, nurseries, schools and homes across Poland. During his visit to the Turów Lignite Mine, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki assured that he would not allow the mine to close.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki met with European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson. The main topic of their discussion was the current situation on the European energy market. The Polish government has so far taken a number of measures to become independent from Russian raw materials, including the construction and opening of the Baltic Pipe, and interconnectors with countries such as Slovakia, Czechia and Lithuania. There are also plans to build a floating gas port, large nuclear power plants and smaller modular reactors. At the same time, we have significantly increased the diversification of energy sources. The implementation of the plans and the finalisation of current investments will strengthen security in Poland and Central Europe.

We care about the development of local Poland. We want to connect all the regions of our country by making investments. By doing so, we create new jobs, build roads, pedestrian crossings and children's playgrounds. We also provide modern equipment for hospitals and modernise schools. Through the Government Fund for Local Investments, approximately PLN 13.2 billion has been allocated to the budgets of municipalities, districts and cities throughout Poland for investments close to the people. This was made possible, among other things, by the funds the government has recovered from tax fraud.

The 13th "Poland, the Great Project" Congress was an opportunity to take stock of the international situation and debate on sovereignty in its broadest sense. At the opening of the Congress, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki discussed the geopolitical situation in the region and security in Europe. On Saturday – the second day of the Congress – the head of the Polish government took part in the presentation ceremony of the Polish President Lech Kaczyński Award. This year's laureate was the Polish draughtsman, painter and stage designer Janusz Kapusta.