EC recommends Poland meets milestones promptly

The European Commission (EC) has advised Poland to hasten its fulfillment of the "milestones" set by the Commission to resolve a protracted rule-of-law conflict, and thus gain access to a multi-billion post-pandemic recovery fund.

In a report on Poland's implementation of the EU's convergence programme in 2023, the Commission also recommends that Poland reduce its financial deficit by resetting its energy policy and limiting expenditures in 2024.

Additionally, the EC recommends that Poland introduce a more "rational" fiscal policy, especially by putting a 7.8-percent cap on nationally financed net primary expenditures in 2024.

Also recommended is for Poland to preserve nationally financed public investment, ensure the effective absorption of Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) grants and other forms of EU funding, especially related to the introduction of green energy and digital technology.

The authors of the report also recommend improving the efficiency of public spending, among others through the better targeting of social benefit programmes.

Also advised are improvements in the pension system, and measures to raise the retirement age.

The EC reiterates its call for more safeguards of judicial independence as a means of enhancing investment.

Poland is also advised to speed up the phase-out of fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy.