How important is KPO for Poland? “Everyone will benefit from this. Just as other countries benefit.”

We would not be talking about money for KPO today if the COVID-19 pandemic had occurred earlier, leading to the death of almost 7 million people around the world and hitting the foundations of the global economy, the effects of which were quickly felt also in Poland.

In July 2020, between the first and second waves of the coronavirus, the European Council agreed on the framework of the largest financial plan in the history of the community, called the Recovery Plan for Europe. This is where the National Reconstruction Plan comes from – consisting of 2/3 grants and 1/3 loans. In total, it amounts to almost PLN 160 billion for Poland.

Although the Polish government played the role of a tough negotiator from the beginning, Mateusz Morawiecki did not hide the fact that he was counting on EU money. He repeatedly called the Reconstruction Plan the new Marshall Plan.

READ ALSO: What’s next for KPO? The new government may have its hands tied, the European Commission is not changing its position

The famous Marshall Plan, adopted in the late 1940s, was de facto a financial and material drip from the United States to Europe for reconstruction after the destruction of World War II. The reference to the post-war plan was intended to emphasize the seriousness of the situation in Europe as it recovered from the pandemic.

However, it soon turned out that the Law and Justice government’s problems with the rule of law were an obstacle to obtaining EU funds for Poland. When it was already known that the European Commission would not give in, PiS politicians began to downplay the importance of the funds allocated for the implementation of the National Reconstruction Plan. As a result, there are no even small amounts and the KPO has been completely frozen.

Meanwhile, money flows widely from Brussels to European capitals. The implementation of the post-pandemic Recovery Plan has been going on in Europe for two and a half years. From the pool of funds provided to the Member States over EUR 150 billion has been received so far. These are specific amounts that translate into real investments. Spaniards complete milestones the fastest.

– The opposition, faced with today’s budget situation, and with the inflow of this type of funds in a systematic way, is able to plan the entire economic policy, the state’s fiscal policy, and the implementation of promises in a completely different way. The left that really promises a very extensive housing program is the KPO. Everyone will benefit from this. Just like other countries use – explains Karolina Hytrek-Prosiecka, journalist of gazeta.pl.

READ ALSO: Local governments are waiting for funds for the KPO. Health care would receive almost PLN 20 billion

The Greeks are also a good example of how funds from the EU Reconstruction Fund can help in development. One of the three largest rating agencies has just increased Greece’s creditworthiness rating to investment grade. “In our opinion, if Greece is able to effectively use these funds, it can significantly improve its economic situation in a relatively short time and return to the path of dynamic economic growth,” reads a statement from the S&P rating agency.

The Greeks have been fighting to get back on track for over 13 years, i.e. since their country was on the verge of bankruptcy as a result of the global financial crisis. Today, they can boast of some of the best development indicators in the euro zone, and Greece’s GDP is higher than before the pandemic.