Here are PiS's proposals for Silesia. “Coal, strengthening the metropolis and Polish identity”

Attachment to coal and mining, reform and strengthening of the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis, Polish identity – these are the proposals for Silesia resulting from the discussion on the region during the two-day program convention of Law and Justice in Katowice.

As part of the PiS program convention held on Friday and Saturday at the International Congress Center under the slogan “Thinking Poland”, there were several discussions about Silesia, which concerned cities, industry, transport, science and the Polishness of the region.

During both days of the convention, PiS politicians repeatedly emphasized their attachment to hard coal. He manifested them, among others: MP Grzegorz Matusiak, who came to the congress center in a miner's uniform.

– I am a great fan of Polish coal – MEP Janusz Kowalski told PAP. He emphasized that mining should not be liquidated, but modernized towards a “modern sector of the Polish economy.”

– Today we need to come back to common sense, put on the brake and… stop senselessly spending billions of zlotys on energy transformation, which only leads to an increase in energy prices – Kowalski pointed out

MP Marek Wesoły emphasized that a “renaissance” of the Silesian industry should be achieved – including: take care of large plants, protect coal mines and power plants from liquidation, introduce modern technologies and abandon the “green ideology” promoted by the EU.

In turn, MP Jarosław Wieczorek pointed out that The Silesian industry should use its experience related to innovative medical technologies and developing space technologies. – There is absolutely top technology that is necessary there – he emphasized. He added that the Silesian industry can also use drone technologies.

“Mthe metropolis should coordinate activities related to the transformation of the region“

During the discussion about Silesia, the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis was mentioned many times. PiS politicians agreed that it should be reformed. MP Marek Wójcik asked about GZM's previous successes, which he had not noticed. He announced that after PiS returns to power, an inspection will be carried out. In his opinion, the metropolis should coordinate activities related to the transformation of the region, which it does not do.

The scope of the metropolis's competences was defined in an act adopted during the PiS government. The GZM authorities have repeatedly emphasized that it should be expanded. MP Jerzy Polaczek admitted that it is necessary to analyze the functioning of the Metropolitan Act. MP Michał Woś said that in its current form GZM is “neither a dog nor an otter”.

Jerzy Polaczek predicted that in a few years Katowice Airport – if the Central Communication Port is not implemented – may be the second most important airport in Poland after the one in Warsaw. He emphasized that for this purpose, it is necessary to ensure the planned development of the regional airport.

PiS politicians mentioned the key investments for transport in Silesia as: the S11 road, north-south and east-west railway connections under the Metropolitan Railway, railway spokes under the CPK, Euroterminal Sławków, which is located at the junction of the westernmost wide-gauge railway line (1,520 mm) and the standard line (1,435 mm).

Marek Wójcik said that he once presented the idea to a “very influential person” in Warsaw to build a monorail instead of a metro to improve the quality of public transport in Silesia. He admitted that he did not understand this idea.

“Polishness of Silesia” – centuries-old relationships

During the discussion “The Polishness of Silesia”, the speakers emphasized its centuries-old connections with Poland. They referred to events from the 14th and 17th centuries. They recalled the words of outstanding Polish activists from the history of Upper Silesia – Wojciech Korfanty and Karol Miarka.

– History is the facts that are available to us today. Then we interpret them in some way. We here are supporters of the thesis that the Polishness of Silesia is what is absolutely real (…) Of course, there are also people in the public space who try to discuss it (…). I feel connected with Silesia, with the dialect, but Polish has absolute priority, said Andrzej Gawron, MP.

The discussion participants criticized attempts to unify “Ślonski Godki” and recognize it as a regional language, which was vetoed by President Andrzej Duda in 2024. They argued that as a result, Silesia could lose its diversity and the topic was being used politically.

The two-day PiS convention program includes a total of three plenary sessions – two speeches by party president Jarosław Kaczyński and a discussion on NATO's eastern flank, 17 main sessions and 114 specialist panels. The number of panelists was estimated at about 600, and the number of guests at several thousand. The purpose of the convention was to start work on the party's new program before the parliamentary elections to be held in 2027. (PAP)

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