“This is the easiest way to end these price increases.” An original idea from a right-wing MP to address rising electricity prices
The Sovereign Poland MP has an unusual idea for reducing energy prices. However, he does not answer the question of the “Wprost” reporter about what his government has done to prevent the increases.
On Thursday, the Sejm is holding its first reading of a citizens’ bill amending the laws to support consumers of electricity, gas fuels and heat. This is a bill prepared by PiS, aimed at extending the protective mechanisms in force in the first half of 2024. Under the slogan “Stop price increases from July”, PiS conducted a collection of signatures in support of the bill.
Do Poles need additional protection in the current situation?
“Of course,” says Sebastian Kaleta, a member of parliament for Sovereign Poland and former deputy minister of justice in the PiS government. “These increases (of electricity prices – ed.) that have been in place since July 1 are drastic, and new ones will appear from month to month, because the smiling government coalition, instead of focusing on the quality of Poles’ wallets, focuses solely and exclusively on implementing political revenge against the opposition. Unfortunately, there are games, but there is no bread.”
Kaleta: exit the ETS system
The ruling PiS coalition has frozen energy prices until recently, but has it done anything to prevent price increases?
According to MP Kaleta, the simplest solution is to leave the ETS system, i.e. the EU carbon dioxide emission trading system.
“Instead of price increases, Poles would see electricity price reductions on their bills, because the EU ETS para-tax devours tens of billions of złoty from the Polish economy every year, which flow to the countries of Western, richer Europe, and this is the easiest way to end these price increases,” Kaleta argues, without answering the question from the “Wprost” reporter.
Energy Price Increases. Who is eligible for an energy voucher?
On July 1, 2024, the protective shield that had frozen energy prices for the past two years ended. The government is introducing energy vouchers worth PLN 1.3 billion to support those most affected by energy poverty. The voucher will be a one-off cash benefit for single-person households with an income below PLN 2,500 per month and multi-person households with an income per person below PLN 1,700. Applications for vouchers can be submitted to municipal offices from August.
