– I don't know what repolonization means. It's a vague slogan that can be, if it's cloudy, interpreted differently.
We request to depoliticise the economy in the only effective way, that is to complete ownership changes, i.e. privatisation," says Newseria news agency Prof. Leszek Balcerowicz, president of the Citizens' improvement Forum.
People request to talk clearly and truly, not murkyly
The nationalization and repolonization of the Polish economy announced by Donald Tusk has sparked mixed comments and reactions, mainly due to the deficiency of clarity which actions would mean. According to Prof. Leszek Balcerowicz, it is simply a "poor slogan", behind which there may be many meanings, specified as limiting the impact of abroad capital or nationalization. However, what is truly needed by the economy is the withdrawal of politicians and the privatisation of companies, which are inactive besides much in the hands of the ruling – the economist estimates.
– I do not know whether Donald Tusk, as he says about repolonization, meant it or something else, for example, that the influence of abroad capital in Poland will be limited. In total, I justice this message negatively, due to the fact that people request to talk clearly and truly, not murkyly. If this meant nationalisation, it would be a step back to socialism and, secondly, a violation of the basic rules of Poland's membership in the EU," Balcerowicz added.
“Repolonization is more Poland in the Polish economy”
Donald Tusk at the European Forum of fresh Ideas in Warsaw in mid-April announced "nationalization of the economy" and the end of the era of "scientific globalisation". The words of the head of the government that strategical companies belonging to the State Treasury should not put maximum profit first, entailed the sale of companies on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. In the index of the largest Polish companies, WIG20 inactive has a large share of the State Treasury, and the action another than maximization of profit can be perceived as an action to the detriment of number shareholders.
Less than a period after the gathering of the government, the Prime Minister reported that the government had begun the announced actions to repolonize the economy and safe the interests of Polish companies, including through changes in public tenders. Minister of Funds and Regional Policy Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz explained in the entry in social media that "Repolonization is more Poland in the Polish economy. This is more capital, orders and support directed to national companies (not necessarily SSP. present it is necessary)’. However, she added that repolonisation cannot mean renationalisation and that unnecessary expansion of state presence in non-strategic areas should be reversed.
We don't gotta propose slogans from different politicians, just ask what's going on, request precise answers.
– We request politicians to retreat from the economy and the only effective way is not to competition that you are expected to choose your better ones, but to hand over what is under the control of politicians, in private hands, with the preservation or strengthening of competition. We do not gotta propose slogans of various politicians, but ask what is going on, request precise answers – says Prof. Leszek Balcerowicz. “We have quite a few comparative investigation and experiences that show what needs to be done in Poland if we want to proceed to catch up with the West in terms of the standard of living. We request to finish bringing politicians out of the economy, including by completing ownership changes.
According to the CSO reports, nearly 2.8 million companies were active in Poland in the 4th fourth of 2024, but they were mainly micro-, tiny and medium-sized companies. The state dominates the largest companies specified as Orlen, KGHM Polska Copper or power companies or major banks. According to the government's list at the end of 2024 specified companies were around 400.
I am amazed that after the 2023 election, there is nothing in the fresh Rulers' programme to destruct the harmful effects of erstwhile rulings
From a survey conducted by the Civic improvement Forum, in which Poles were asked about the attitude to privatization, it turned out that it depends on the way the question is formulated and the usage of words about possible negative connotations. In more general questions about the influence of politicians on the economy, the respondents adopted comparatively strong pro-privatisation attitudes, and in questions about circumstantial companies – more anti-privatisation. 62% agreed that "the influence of politicians on the economy should be limited to creating a legal framework for the functioning of businesses". More than half acknowledged that "the economy works better erstwhile as many companies are in private hands as possible and as small of a state as possible". However, erstwhile asked if it would be better if Orlen or KGHM went to private owners, respondents were more skeptical. For 34 percent and against 43 percent.
– Poland, after Turkey, has the most state ownership, i.e. yet under the authority of politicians in its economy. This is peculiarly the case for the banking sector, where, after written nationalizations, nearly 50% of the country's ownership is achieved. I am amazed that after the 2023 elections, there is nothing on the program of the recently ruling regarding the elimination of the harmful influence of the erstwhile rulers," Balcerowicz comments.
