Pełczyńska-Nałęcz on differences in the government: there is no word “zero percent loan” in the coalition agreement

– We are having a substantive discussion. I would not focus on this or that entry, but on the merits of the matter – said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz in “Fakty po Faktach”. – A good housing policy is needed and the coalition agreement states that the coalition wants to give such a good housing policy to voters and to Poland – she noted.

– I want to draw attention to this: it is very clearly stated that we are focusing on social housing construction. And there is agreement here. There is no word “zero percent credit” – the minister emphasized. – So this is a policy that was not included in this coalition agreement by accident. Why was it not included? Because from the beginning we, as Poland 2050, believed that this was not good public policy – said the head of the Ministry of Funds.

– Today we see the effects of the 2 percent credit, the “PiS” one (introduced by the government PIS – ed.) zero percent credit varieties and we see what happened. There was an increase in housing prices and this is something inevitable – said Pełczyńska-Nałęcz.

– We see a clear correlation here between the moment when funds are entered into the loan and the fact that housing prices are rising. They are growing the most in large cities, because that is where the largest number of these loans were granted, and the average in Poland is 13 percent. And this is logically explained. When we stimulate demand instead of supply, housing prices increase – assessed the minister in response to the question whether the increase in housing prices was one hundred percent caused by the 2 percent Credit program. She added that developers and banks benefited from this primarily.

– Maybe let's start with the fact that I wouldn't want to put it in such a way that it's some kind of ping-pong. This is a very serious conversation about a very future-oriented and fundamental policy for Poland. We say that a zero percent loan is not good not because it's about some personal dramas, but because it's really bad policy – Pełczyńska-Nałęcz said, answering a question about today's statement. Donald Tusk at a press conference. The Prime Minister announced that this particular bill would be assessed the fastest during the next meeting of the Economic Committee of the Council of Ministers (KERM). – Prime Minister Tusk is my superior and I have great respect for him. So we are talking about the matter, not about any personal relations, because that is not what it is about at all – she noted.

She added that there are different opinions on the zero percent loan between Polska 2050, which is against it, and the Civic Coalition, which is in favor and assumes from media statements that are not clearly formulated that the Left is against it. – So we have a substantive difference in the coalition – admitted the minister.

She also explained what amounts were included in the draft budget act for 2025 for construction. – We actually have PLN 4.3 billion for construction (in the state budget – ed.), which is an amount 50 percent higher than in the current year. These funds are mostly used, including over PLN 1 billion for social housing construction. However, there is also a reserve of PLN 1.6 billion recorded for housing – explained the Minister of Funds. – And now the fate of this reserve will be used depending on the adopted laws.

– If the act on zero percent credit is adopted (by the Sejm – ed.), then it will be possible to spend this reserve on this program. However, if it is not adopted, then it will not be possible to spend it on this program – explained Pełczyńska-Nałęcz. – However, this money can also be spent on social housing, because it does not require an act – she added.

When asked about her support for this program, she said that Poland 2050 is against it. – Very clearly, through the mouth of the Marshal Szymon Hołowniait has been said many times that Poland 2050 will not vote for a zero percent loan, she said.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that during the next meeting of the KERM, individual projects that make up the housing support program will be assessed. As he pointed out, the so-called zero percent loan is only one of its elements, while the other two also provide support for municipal and social housing.

– After reviewing all projects, we will establish our prioritiesafter all projects are ready, said Donald Tusk at a conference after the government meeting on Tuesday.

The head of government added that the first to be assessed will be the “Na start” loan project, prepared by the Ministry of Development and Technology. – You can agree or disagree with the project prepared by Mr. Paszyk's ministry, but it is the most advanced project and will be assessed the fastest. Certainly, a lot of people, especially young people, in Poland are waiting for good information on this issue – he said.

As the prime minister added, if there is no majority, because Poland 2050 votes against, the project will not come into effect. – But I would be surprised if that happened – Tusk noted.

Minister of Finance Andrzej Domański, who was present at the conference, recalled that the budget earmarked over PLN 4 billion for housing support. “How we divide it will depend on the assessment of individual projects,” the Prime Minister added.

Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz was also asked about funds from the National Reconstruction Plan.

– We are working hard to submit the second and third application for payment from the KPO by September 13 at the latest – the minister replied. – We want the funds to be available by the end of the year. We would like to receive at least PLN 30 billion, which is more than in this first payment – she added.

She emphasized that “KPO is the work of all ministries”. – I hope that we are moving at a fast pace and effectively – she said. She admitted that “we have a two-year delay” and added that “that is why we are submitting two applications at once”. – It is in our interest to spend these funds qualitatively – Pełczyńska-Nałęcz emphasized.