New Gov't To Create Industry Ministry In Silesia, Boost Child Benefits & Teachers' Salaries

Donald Tusk emerged from a working meeting with the pro-EU coalition's ministerial candidates confirming some key names in the line-up of his incoming Cabinet, which could be sworn in as soon as next Wednesday. The leader took the opportunity to unveil some near-term plans of the incoming administration.

• Tusk announced his intention to create a Ministry of Industry, which will be based in the Silesia region, one of Poland's main industrial hubs in the western part of the country. Marzena Czarnecka, a technocrat and academic, will be tasked with setting up and heading the new ministry.
• The leader said that his coalition has earmarked funds for boosting payouts from the previous administration's flagship child benefit programme and for 30% salary hikes for teachers which will take effect from the beginning of next year.
• Tusk noted that the coalition will not fulfil its pledge to increase the annual tax-free allowance to PLN60k during its first 100 days in office, but he will ask the new Finance Minister to see which campaign pledges could be included in budget 2024.
• The leader also vowed to quickly overhaul politicised public media, make mortgage holiday laws more attractive for borrowers, resolve tensions on the Polish-Ukrainian border and join the European Public Prosecutor's Office.