The official responsible for European funds and the development of Poland's regional policy emphasized that improving communication between subregional cities and metropolitan areas is crucial for Poland’s future development and addressing population decline.
Poland's infrastructure shift: focus on high-speed rail over subregional city connections
According to Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, Poland will invest a record 120 billion PLN (around 27.6 billion EUR) in infrastructure development in 2025. Of this, 90 billion PLN (around 20.7 billion EUR) will come from the National Reconstruction Plan (KPO), and 30 billion PLN (around 6.9 billion EUR) will come from cohesion funds.
The main investments include the construction of railway lines, connections to subregional cities, and transport infrastructure.
However, the minister expressed concerns about worsening regional inequalities due to the shift in investments toward high-speed connections between metropolitan areas.
The plan increases funding for these connections by 15 billion PLN (3.45 billion EUR) while reducing investments in subregional city connections by 8 billion PLN (1.84 billion EUR).
Pełczyńska-Nałęcz believes these subregional cities cannot afford to wait for planned infrastructure improvements until 2032.
Minister calls for balanced investment in subregional cities amid rising regional inequality
"The problem is that the entire investment focuses on high-speed rail between major cities by 2032, while all other investments, including those aimed at developing subregional cities, are being postponed. A better solution would be to build both—the Y-line and the subregional projects—simultaneously and gradually, integrating cities like Włocławek, Płock, and Łomża into the network of fast connections with metropolitan areas," emphasized the politician, drawing attention to cities located in central and northeastern Poland.
Labour law enforcement in Poland to be strengthened
Poland also plans to enforce labor laws more effectively. Instead of introducing social security contributions for civil contracts, the government proposes strengthening the State Labor Inspectorate, which plays a key role in protecting workers' rights and ensuring their safety while performing their duties.
Source: money.pl
(m p)