Priorities of the Law and Justice Party (PiS) in Economic Governance and Social Policy

This chapter examines key priorities of the Law and Justice (PiS) government in economic governance, focusing on four interrelated policy areas: the renationalization of large enterprises, the consolidation of state-owned companies, major public investment projects, and the policy of social transfers. Based on in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs, the analysis reveals widespread skepticism toward these policies. The renationalization process was perceived as politically motivated and harmful to market competition, efficiency, and private sector confidence. The creation of “national champions” through mergers of state-owned companies was criticized for fostering monopolization, political interference, and reduced competitiveness. Similarly, large-scale investments—such as the Central Communication Port (CPK)—were viewed as economically unjustified and driven by populist or prestige considerations rather than development logic. The fourth dimension of analysis, social transfers (including the 500 Plus child benefit and the thirteenth and fourteenth pensions), was also assessed critically. Respondents recognized their initial social value but emphasized their universal, non-targeted design, high fiscal burden, adverse effects on inflation and labor market participation, undermining work incentives, and contributing to welfare dependency. Overall, the findings point to the growing politicization of economic policy, the dominance of short-term, electorally motivated measures, and the risk of returning to centralized, state-dominated management patterns that weaken market mechanisms and discourage private initiative.