The Chancellery of the Prime Minister is working on a regulation that can fundamentally change the rules of accommodation of the most crucial public officials. According to the reports of the ‘Rzeczpospolita’, Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers are to gain the right to free service housing, financed entirely from the state budget. This is simply a crucial change compared to the current regulations, where they pay for the rent of premises under the work of KPRM PLN 50.55 per square metre. The draft regulation is to be ready this year, which means that fresh privileges can enter into force in the coming months, raising questions about the transparency and legitimacy of public spending in the face of economical challenges.
New Privileges for Ministers: No more fees for a business place?
Currently, only the President, Speakers of the Sejm and the Senate, as well as parliamentarians from outside Warsaw, can usage free accommodation. Members and Senators have the choice of a home of Members or a flat flat fee of up to PLN 4.5 1000 per month. The first option is utilized by 207 Members and the second option is utilized by 211 Members. The planned extension of the powers to ministers and deputy prime ministers is aimed, as explained by the description of the government's legislative work, at aligning the rules with those of another constitutional state bodies. This, however, is controversial due to the fact that most of the current ministers and deputy prime ministers are besides parliamentarians who already have service housing or lump sums from the Chancellery of the Sejm.
Why does the government want free housing? Empty settlement on Sadyba
"Rzeczpospolita" suggests that the real reason for the planned changes is not only the question of unification of rights, but above all the problem with the improvement of a government settlement at Grzesiuka Street in Warsaw Sadyba. 3 blocks, built in the early 1990s, have been glowing in voids for years. According to the October 2023 data, at 59 premises as many as 30 were free. There were only 29 another people, including only 11 in government executive positions, but no deputy prime minister or minister. erstwhile PO MP Hanna Gill-Friday, in an interview with “Rz” stresses that maintaining empty housing generates costs for the state budget. The amendment of the regulation is so intended to effort to improve the coverage of these properties, which, as any politicians estimate, have a "gierkowski" kind and insufficient standard.
Costs and consequences for the taxpayer: Who will pay for the fresh privileges?
The introduction of free housing for deputy prime ministers and ministers means a direct burden on the state budget and, consequently, for Polish taxpayers. all vacant settlement at Grzesiuk Street, as well as the cost of surviving inhabited premises, will be full covered by public funds. erstwhile the government calls for savings and faces budgetary challenges, specified a regulation could make a wave of social criticism. Experts point out that alternatively of extending privileges, more rational management of state property, including possible sale or commercial rental of property that does not meet the expectations of people in key positions, should be considered.
Date of entry into force: erstwhile will the fresh rules apply?
Work on the draft regulation at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister is to be completed in third 4th of this year. This means that ministers and vice-premiers can gain the right to free housing before the end of 2024. This fast implementation deadline underlines the urgency with which the government addresses the issue of the improvement of public property, while at the same time questioning public spending priorities. Monitoring further stages of the legislative process will be crucial to assessing the actual costs and benefits of this initiative for the State and its citizens.
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The Tusk government is preparing a fresh law. Ministers and Deputy Premiers will get free apartments at the expense of Poles!
