Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Minister of Finance Andrzej Domański are responsible for the holiday prices; food and service prices are rising; Poles can afford less, said Law and Justice MEPs on Sunday.
The conference was organized in front of Hala Mirowska in Warsaw – a popular place where residents shop.
The vice-president of PiS, MEP Tobiasz Bocheński, argued that the upcoming holidays will be the most expensive after 1989. – In the times of Donald Tusk, Poles can afford less. We see an increase in the cost of food, an increase in the cost of services, both municipal services and services provided by private entities. 69 percent Poles declare that they will spend less money this Christmas than in 2023. Poles save, they try to look for savings in various places, because they are surrounded by prices on all sides, said Bocheński. According to him, Donald Tusk and Andrzej Domański are responsible for the higher prices of the holidays.
MEP Anna Zalewska also argued during the conference that “Poles will spend less, not because it is cheaper, but because they save.” – Citizens watch with horror how budgets are constructed in local governments. The change in public finances, which was supposed to generate more revenue for local governments, turned out to be a disaster. The effects of all these decisions will be visible next year, she said. She pointed out that in many cities fees for water, sewage and various types of levies and taxes, e.g. real estate tax, are being increased.
MEP Piotr Müller also criticized the current government. He argued that Poles will spend less on Christmas because they are afraid for their future, they see information, among others, about unemployment. – Compared to the end of 2023, today we have approximately 100,000 fewer more unemployed. Investments in local governments are being limited and, as a result, local companies will receive fewer orders. The economic policy of this government is carried out badly and irresponsibly,” he said.
PiS president Jarosław Kaczyński also commented on Poles' Christmas spending on Sunday. “Expensive! Almost 70 percent of Poles will reduce their Christmas expenses this year due to the rising cost of living. Poles say: we can afford less. #DearChristmas is approaching. Do you think Tusk and his people are considering this?” – wrote the PiS leader on X.
The “Finance and Christmas” study carried out by the research company Maison&Partners on behalf of ANG Responsible Finance showed that 69 percent Poles intend to limit their Christmas spending, most often by taking advantage of promotions, refraining from buying new decorations and clothes, and preparing their own meals.
The study “Christmas expenses of Poles 2025” commissioned by BIG InfoMonitor shows that the average Pole will spend an average of PLN 1,122 on Christmas this year – one third less than last year. The respondents declared that they would spend the most on gifts – PLN 447 and food – PLN 413. The Provident Christmas Barometer shows that Poles will spend PLN 1,387 on holiday-related products and gifts this year, PLN 66 less than a year earlier and PLN 329 less than in 2023.
The basket of food products from which Christmas Eve dishes are prepared has become more expensive compared to last year, e.g. the price of carp increased by 22%. – according to a report prepared by the PanParagon application team. However, some products became cheaper – the prices of dried mushrooms dropped by 22%. At the same time, this year's harvest means that vegetables on the wholesale market in Bronisze before Christmas are cheaper than last year. The exception are cucumbers, both domestic and imported from abroad – market expert Maciej Kmera told PAP last week.
Minister of Finance and Economy Andrzej Domański estimates that 2025 will be a year of breakthrough in the Polish economy. – We are the 20th largest economy in the world, we have entered the club of economies with a GDP exceeding USD 1 trillion. In the third quarter, GDP growth reached 3.8 percent, other growth engines are also joining in, we see data on investments, where the dynamics is 7 percent. – said the head of the Ministry of Finance a few days ago. As he emphasized, subsequent forecasts of international institutions show that the Polish economy is reaching a state of balance, as it is recording accelerated growth with falling inflation and stable unemployment.
According to analyses, during the two years of the current cabinet's rule, economic growth has accelerated, wages have also gone up, while inflation has decreased; Polish public debt increased and the number of unemployed people increased by 100,000. people. The registered unemployment rate at the end of November 2023 was 5 percent, while at the end of 2025 it reached 5.7 percent. This means an increase in the number of people unemployed from 774.8 thousand. people to 875.3 thousand, i.e. by just over 100 thousand. This may be due to the decline in employment in the corporate sector, which decreased by 89.5 thousand from November 2023 to November 2025. people. While in November 2023 the average monthly gross salary in the enterprise sector was PLN 7,670.19, two years later, in November 2025, it was PLN 8,865.12. This means an increase of almost 15.6%. According to data from the Central Statistical Office, in November 2023, inflation amounted to 6.6%. year to year, while the so-called quick estimate for November this year. indicated 2.4 percent. increase in prices. While in the third quarter of 2023 the GDP growth – calculated year-on-year – amounted to 0.5 percent, in the third quarter of 2025 the economy grew by 3.8 percent. Throughout 2023, GDP growth was minimal, amounting to 0.1%, meanwhile this year – according to the forecasts from the draft budget act for 2026 – the economy should grow by 3.4%, although forecasts by bank analysts say that the result may be slightly better. (PAP)
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