“The Year of Polish Acceleration”. Tusk announces the strongest army and “tightening the screws” on criminals

Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized in his New Year's message that 2026 will be the year of Polish acceleration; building the strongest army in Europe, intensifying infrastructure investments and rebuilding industry, including defense. He also announced that he would “tighten the screw” on criminals.

The head of government noted that last year, despite the turbulence in the world, was a year of breakthrough in Poland. – The year in which economic growth took off. The prices are over. We have started major investments and have cleared others of the absurdities of previous years. We have sealed the borders. We have repaired the “swampy” relations with Europe and recovered our Polish billions, said the Prime Minister.

– Poles have started to return from emigration, and the largest foreign newspapers write about Poland as an absolute phenomenon. They call our economy Goldilocks, that is, as it is supposed to be, and they consider Warsaw to be the most promising city on the continent, said the Prime Minister.

He recalled that in 2025 was the millennium of the coronation of Bolesław the Brave, the first king of Poland. – A thousand years of the Polish state are binding. The anniversary of the Piast coronation reminds us that there is no point in complaining about difficult times. The state must cope in all times, said the head of government. He added that a thousand years of history show that power and success come from a strong army, respect for the law, equality, freedom and tolerance. However, he said, defeat is brought about by brawl and corruption.

The Prime Minister emphasized that these truths constitute the real treasure and foundation of the state. – Even if the world around us goes completely crazy, we must be wise and strong. We have to be ourselves. We must implement our own plan, said the Prime Minister.

Our task does not change. This must be another good year for Poland 🇵🇱 pic.twitter.com/SOhBDXAwcn

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) January 1, 2026

According to Tusk, this year – “no matter what” – will be the year of Polish acceleration. – We will accelerate the construction of the strongest army in Europe. We will accelerate large infrastructure investments. This will be a year of rapid conquest of the Baltic Sea (…). Intensive re-Polonization and reconstruction of industry, including the defense industry. The principle of local content, i.e. “Polish first”, will become an iron rule in public procurement – assured the Prime Minister.

He also announced “to tighten the screws on criminals of all stripes, whether it be a hooligan king, a drug dealer, a corrupt politician or a pro-Russian militant.” – Everyone, without exception, who breaks the law will regret it bitterly in the coming year – said the Prime Minister. – Poland is and will be an oasis of security – he concluded.

– This must be another good year for Poland. One thousand and one year of our country. And that's what I wish for all of us, said the Prime Minister in his New Year's message.

Tusk also sent a message to Europeans on Thursday morning. In a recording posted on X, he wished them to be like Poland – “energetic, brave and safe.” Among Poland's achievements he mentioned, among others: a safe and tight eastern border, a responsible asylum policy and the construction of the largest modern army in the EU.

He also drew attention to the Forbes magazine ranking, in which Warsaw was recognized as the most attractive European city to visit in 2026. (PAP)

kmz/ rbk/