Opposition party pushes for quicker raise in child benefit

Civic Platform (PO), Poland's main opposition party, has urged the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party to accelerate the implementation of an increase in the government's flagship child benefit programme.

At a convention on Sunday, held just months before the general election, PiS vowed to raise the amount of the monthly child benefit, the so-called 500 Plus, by 60 percent to PLN 800 (EUR 178) from PLN 500 (EUR 111), starting from January 2024.

But Donald Tusk, the PO leader, on Monday suggested that the raise should be implemented on June 1 this year, saying that "one-third (of the 500 Plus - PAP) has been eaten away by inflation."

Complaining that his proposal was quickly rejected by PiS, Tusk said that on Wednesday his party would file a bill to speed up the 500 Plus indexation.

"Tomorrow we'll file a relevant bill with the (lower house - PAP) speaker," Tusk said, adding that the aim was for "Polish children to receive the benefit on Children's Day, not New Year' Eve."

Children's Day falls on June 1.

Poland will hold its next parliamentary election this autumn.