The culls of the parliamentary vote on lowering the wellness contribution for entrepreneurs uncover the brutal realism of Polish politics. According to Interia, the Civic Platform agreed with the Confederacy to safe a majority of controversial changes in opposition to the Left. In exchange for abstaining, the Confederacy was to receive a promise of respective positions in the Sejm committees.
“Many things can be done without the Left. I besides heard and even saw text messages, the exchange of SMS between Citizens' Platform and Confederation's policies after this vote on the wellness contribution. That was a deal. I mean, the Platform made a deal with the Confederate, nevertheless shocking it may sound to some. In the Sejm, specified things happen" – writer Marcin Fjołek revealed.
The partnership of the PO with the Confederate – previously unthinkable – sparked a political stir. Let us remind you that the simplification in the wellness contribution raises opposition from the Left, which points to the hazard of depreciating the proceeds to the NFZ and thus reducing the backing of wellness care. However, it was crucial for the PO to collect the majority of votes – even at the expense of ideological compromises.
“There was simply a clear deal: “Dear Confederacy, aid us by abstaining from voting, force this contribution, due to the fact that we had a fika left in exchange for a fewer positions in parliamentary committees, in exchange for a mandate besides specified a negotiation for the future”. The Confederacy abstained, although it may have been against, and then this full puzzle would hang on a thread, it might not pass. So this is the arrangement” – continued Fjołek in a conversation with Piotr Witwicki.
Witwicki ironically noted:
– "The platform can get along with the Confederate, the PiS cannot".
This shows that in the Polish parliament the dividing lines are liquid, and political interest frequently wins with programme declarations. Although the Confederation is known for its anti-system narrative, it did not hesitate to enter into a deal with 1 of the most mainstream parties. Not the first time.
From the political point of view of the PO strategy, despite the opposition of the Left, changes beneficial to entrepreneurs were passed. On the another hand, the Confederate, without having to bear the political costs of voting in favour, gained access to committees and possibly increased participation in the legislative process. This is simply a classical case of "something for something."
However, it may be hard for voters to swallow. The Coalition of 13 December – composed of the PO, the 3rd Way and the Left – declared a programme unity, while in practice the Platform went on a deal with the party, which in many cases represents views highly opposed. In addition, as it turns out, without informing the coalition partners.
Unofficial information suggests that the Left was unaware of the findings between the PO and the Confederation. For a group that consistently opposes the ‘sealing’ of the wellness contribution system, it is simply a painful slap. The Left loses credibility erstwhile it turns out that it is incapable to block initiatives incompatible with its agenda despite its formal presence in the coalition.
– "It is simply a signal that the PO is ready to play its own game, not necessarily in consultation with the coalitions. If this is repeated practice, there may be serious tensions within the government," says an anonymous politician of the Left, quoted by Virtual Poland portal.
For the Confederacy, it is further evidence that it can effectively negociate and usage its language position in weight. Although she has not officially entered the ruling coalition, her influence on any of the votes is increasingly visible. In this case, she showed that she could be a partner in talks – even for the parties she usually marks.
“Confederation is simply a organization that, on the 1 hand, says that everything needs to be broken up, and on the another hand, it participates in a political game just like the rest,” comments 1 of the Sejm observers.
There is no contradiction – alternatively calculating. Politics is simply a game of interest and the Confederate understands that if he wants to accomplish something realistic, he has to compromise sometimes.
The vote afraid a draft amendment to the provisions on the wellness contribution, according to which entrepreneurs would pay little than now. The government argued that changes are essential to relieve the SME sector and to facilitate its post-pandemic and advanced inflation.
Critics – mainly the Left – warned that lowering the contribution meant reducing revenues to the NFZ and thus threatening the public wellness service. They claimed that this was a "classical shift from business to patients".
Ultimately, thanks to the Confederacy's suspension and the absence of respective left-wing Members, the draft passed by a minimum majority. The Confederacy, although having gained any influence, exposes itself to hypocrisy: anti-systemic beyond collides with systemic practice.
The PO-Confederation Agreement may be a signal of change in the power arrangement in the Sejm. If the Left is inactive left out, there could be shuffling within the Coalition on 13 December. The Confederation, on the another hand, can number on another "negotiation" with controversial votes.
One thing is certain – this vote has shown that ideological declarations are frequently just a facade. It's about efficiency, influence and calculation. As the old proverb says: there are no eternal friends or enemies in politics – there are only business.
