More social programmes would risk market backlash - deputy PM

Polish Deputy PM and Science Minister Jarosław Gowin said he acknowledges the ruling party's decision to expand its social programmes but observed they cannot be increased without risking a high budget deficit and a related backlash from financial markets. At its convention in Warsaw in late February, the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party presented five key proposals for the 2019 election season. The party plans to broaden its landmark Family 500 Plus programme to also include first children, scrap income tax for people under 26, offer a PLN 1,100 (EUR 254) annual bonus to all pensioners, raise tax-deductible labour costs and lower the Personal Income Tax (PIT) for all employees to 17 percent from 18 percent as well as restoring local coach connections. The new programmes are to cost PLN 30-40 bn (EUR 6.9-9.2 bn).