“The investment makes sense because it can generate approximately 150,000 job places, as well as strengthen Poland's role as Ukraine's most important neighbour” writes "Frankfurter Rundschau" about the Central Communication Hub in Poland.
source: CPK youtube
On 29th February, the daily newspaper "Frankfuter Rundschau" had analysed the state of the Polish economy. It indicated that the release of the billions of euros blocked by the European Commission should significantly increase the chances of Poland's ruling coalition winning the local and European elections. The German media's comments are described by "Deutche Welle".
“(This decision) should also stimulate the Polish economy which is relatively strong despite the war in Ukraine, the admission of a million refugees and the huge inflation over the last two years.” – we read.
The newspaper quotes Eurostat data on exceptionally low unemployment in Poland (2.9 %- the second lowest in the EU) and a promising economic growth forecast (2.7 %). According to the newspaper, many enterprises and municipalities are waiting with ready-made projects for funds to be released. These, constituting approximately 20 % of GDP, can drive the Polish economy, which – among others thanks to Law and Justice (PiS) reforms - is starting from a good level.
"Frankfurter Rundschau" describes that there is currently a discussion in Poland about "an economic investment that is to open a new chapter." This concerns the Central Communication Hub (CPK) near Warsaw and accompanying investments like railway infrastructure development.
According to the author of the text, Jan Opielka, the investment makes sense because it can generate approximately 150,000 job places, as well as strengthen Poland's role as Ukraine's most important neighbour.
A possible questioning of the investment by Donald Tusk's government may, according to the journalist, "not only leave unrealized economic potential, but also have political consequences: Law and Justice would see confirmation of its narrative that Prime Minister Tusk basically acts in the interests of Germany." – we read.
The author argues that CPK could become a competitor to the Berlin airport, while improving the infrastructure in the country would additionally stimulate the establishment of companies from the advanced technology sector. According to Opielka, another, already decided investment, i.e. the construction of a container port in Świnoujście, is not in Germany's interest, because it would mean direct competition for the seaport in Hamburg.
7 most interesting quotes:
"Law and Justice has plugged VAT loopholes - VAT revenues have more than doubled in 2015-2023. In addition, there were social reforms, active wage policy and not always successful, but significant investments, as well as a reasonable approach to reducing the gap between the city and the countryside and the poor and the rich.”
“In 2022, Poland was in a much better situation in terms of income inequality according to the Gini index (26.3) than the EU average (29.6) or Germany (28.8). In 2015, Poland was at the level of the EU average of 30.6.”
“There is currently an intense debate in the country on economic investment, which should open a new chapter. This is a project initiated several years ago by Law and Justice (PiS) regarding a central airport with a rail and road junction (CPK) near Warsaw. The new airport should initially be able to handle over 40 million passengers per year. But accompanying investments are equally important: first of all, the construction of almost 2,000 kilometres of new high-speed rail lines is planned, which will connect CPK with the largest and medium-sized cities in Poland.”
“In fact, this large investment definitely makes sense. Not only because approximately 150,000 new jobs will be created in the immediate vicinity of the investment. But also because the project would economically strengthen Poland's increased political role as Ukraine's most important neighbour. But Tusk's government questions this project. Audit procedures are ongoing and the outcome is unclear. […] Suspending or radically limiting the project could not only leave untapped economic potential, but also have political consequences: Law and Justice would confirm its narrative that Prime Minister Tusk is acting fundamentally in Germany's interests.”
“In fact, CPK will most likely become something more than just a competitor to the Berlin airport located only 500 kilometers to the west. The planned significantly improved infrastructure connection in the country could also further stimulate the establishment of high-tech companies. In 2023, the American chipmaker Intel announced an investment of approximately five billion euros in a semiconductor integration and testing center in Wrocław.”
“Another Law and Justice project, i.e. the expansion of the port in Świnoujście into a deep sea port, which is to accommodate the largest container ships [...] should be completed in 2028. A decision was also made to enter into the civilian use of nuclear energy. Neither is in Berlin's best interests.”
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