Petru: We cannot leave the economy to populists and economically illiterate people

On Sunday, MP Ryszard Petru inaugurated his run for the presidency of Poland 2050. – We cannot leave the economy to right- and left-wing populists and economically illiterate people from the Confederation – said Petru, who announced his program assumptions during Sunday's meeting.

The former leader of Nowoczesna, and currently a member of parliament for Poland 2050, assessed that taking Szymon Hołownia's place would be a difficult task, but expressed his belief that the group's goals remain valid.

– I remember well why I joined our group. It brought hope for a qualitative change in politics, thinking about Poland in the perspective of the next generations, not only the next elections. I am convinced that only we can still fulfill this mission. We just need greater determination and effectiveness, and I guarantee it to you, he emphasized.

– I have real experience in building a formation from scratch in a few months that wins almost 8 percent in the elections. support – added Petru, referring to Nowoczesna, which he founded a decade ago, which formally ceased to exist this year.

The Polish 2050 MP assessed that one of the greatest threats to Poland is the growth of right-wing narratives and populism.

– We need to loudly and clearly oppose the right-wing narrative that the threat to Poland comes from the West, and specifically from the European Union. This outright lie is repeated by the president, PiS, Confederation and Braun's party. We cannot leave the economy to right- and left-wing populists and the economically illiterate Confederation – assessed Petru.

– I guarantee that under my leadership we will fight effectively within the coalition for the implementation of our demands: lowering health insurance premiums for entrepreneursfor sick leave payment by ZUS from the first day, for a return to two trading Sundays a monthfor the depoliticization of state-owned companies – the MP calculated.

He also argued that under his leadership, Poland 2050 will regain the voices of entrepreneurs and completely cut itself off from potential cooperation with the right-wing.

– I will definitely end media speculations about any dealings with PiS. Although the October 15 Coalition is not easy due to its diversity, it is really good for Poland and there is no alternative to it, he noted.

Among the plans raised by Petru during Sunday's conference, he also mentioned those regarding: “earning up” your pension up to PLN 5,000. zloty. per month tax-free or shaping migration policy. He also announced that he was against “any abortion referenda.”

Ryszard Petru was the founder and leader of Nowoczesna. On May 31, 2015, the founding congress of the Nowoczesna PL Association took place in Warsaw. On August 25, Ryszard Petru's Nowoczesna party was registered and won 7.6 percent in the 2015 parliamentary elections. votes, which gave it 28 seats in the Sejm. Two years later, Petru lost the leadership to Katarzyna Lubnauer, and on May 11, 2018, he left the party.

In 2022, he returned to the party as an expert on economic affairs. In the 2023 elections, he ran for the Sejm from the Third Way lists (PSL and Polska 2050). Nowoczesna, in turn, was dissolved on October 24 this year, and is currently in the process of liquidation – former members of this group have until June 30 next year to apply for accession to the Civic Coalition. (PAP)

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