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☆ Berlin ready to extend Patriot air defence deployment to Poland until end of 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

German Patriot air defence system units are seen at the Vilnius airport, ahead of a NATO summit, in Vilnius, Lithuania July 10, 2023. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File PhotoBERLIN, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Germany has offered to extend the deployment of three Patriot air defence units in Poland until the end of 2023, the defence ministry in Berlin said on Tuesday. Ground-based air defence systems such as Raytheon's (RTX.N) Patriot are built to intercept incoming missiles. They are, however, in short supply across NATO since many allies scaled down the number of air defence units after the Cold War. Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent NATO allies scrambling to plug the gaps in their own inventories, while also supplying Kyiv with air defence systems to ward off Russian attacks.

Persons: Ints, Boris Pistorius, Sabine Siebold, Christoph Steitz, Chris Reese, Alex Richardson Organizations: Patriot, NATO, REUTERS, German, Law and Justice, Thomson Locations: Vilnius, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Berlin, Polish, Zamosc, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Przewodow, Warsaw

☆ Prosecutor, defense request house arrest for son of Colombian president
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Luis Jaime Acosta | Thomson Reuters | Luis Jaime Has Worked At Reuters For More Than Years. While He Chiefly Covers Colombia'S Armed Conflict | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Defendant and son of Colombian president Gustavo Petro, Nicolas Petro attends a hearing in Bogota, Colombia August 3, 2023 in this screengrab taken from a handout video. Colombian Prosecutor's Office/Handout via REUTERSBOGOTA, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Both the prosecution and the defense in a money laundering and illicit enrichment case against Nicolas Petro, the eldest son of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, on Friday requested house arrest for the younger Petro. Petro, 37, was arrested last weekend in the city of Barranquilla alongside his ex-wife, Daysuris del Carmen Vasquez, who is being held on similar charges. Both prosecutor Burgos and Petro's defense attorney David Teleki supported a house arrest measure in a morning hearing, with Teleki citing the impeding birth of Petro's child with his current partner. According to the charges, Nicolas Petro received money from accused drug traffickers in exchange for including them in the president's peace plans.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, Nicolas Petro, Petro, Daysuris del Carmen Vasquez, Mario Burgos, Burgos, David Teleki, pained, Luis Jaime Acosta, Julia Symmes Cobb, Alistair Bell Organizations: Colombian Prosecutor's, REUTERS, Teleki, Thomson Locations: Bogota, Colombia, REUTERS BOGOTA, Barranquilla, Atlantico province

☆ From Washington to Warsaw, a ‘greenlash’ is picking up steam despite extreme heat
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

A pushback against climate policies is not just a U.S. issue. Reprisals over climate policies come at a time of record-breaking extreme heat across the globe, with July poised to be the hottest month in human history. Ruling party leader Jarosław Kaczyński described the bloc's green policies as "madness" and akin to "green communism." "At the moment, it looks like green parties are not doing going fantastically well. "The IRA is called an IRA, it is not called a climate act because there's no way that you could get Democrats and Republicans to agree on something called climate," Tocci said.

Persons: Henry Nicholls, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, ESG, —, Kevin McCarthy, Drew Angerer, Nathalie Tocci, Tocci, U.N, António, Sadiq Khan's, Jarosław Kaczyński, Emmanuel Macron, Alexander De Croo, Ursula von der, Kenzo Tribouillard, Joe Biden's, Mark Rutte's, …, Jan Willem Erisman, Mateusz Morawiecki, Michal Hetmanski Organizations: Afp, Getty, Republican Gov, House, Biden, U.S, Capitol, Istituto, CNBC, Farmer, Movement, Internazionali, Belgian, Belgium's, IRA, BBB, Farmers, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images, Leiden University Locations: London, Marble, U.S, Europe, Florida, Washington ,, Italian, Poland, Ostend, European, Netherlands, The Hague, Polish, Warsaw

☆ Hungary's Orban condemns EU federalism, LGBTQ 'offensive'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST, July 22 (Reuters) - Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Saturday renewed an attack on the European Union for conducting what he called an "LGBTQ offensive", saying his nationalist government would protect the country's Christian roots. He has also clashed with Brussels over other issues including the rule of law, and reforms to Hungary's media and the judiciary. The EU is "either an empire or (individual) nations ... We should not have any illusions: the federalists are trying to squeeze us out," Orban said. "They openly wanted a change in government (in 2022) in Hungary," Orban said, adding that the same was now true of Poland. "The EU rejects Christian heritage, carries out a replacement of its population via migration ... and conducts an LGBTQ offensive," he said on Saturday.

Persons: Viktor Orban, Orban, " Orban, Krisztina, John Stonestreet Organizations: Hungary's, European Union, EU, Law, Justice, Britain, Thomson Locations: BUDAPEST, Romania, Brussels, Germany, France, EU, Hungary, Poland, Warsaw, Budapest

☆ Poland's Kaczynski rejoins government ahead of tough election
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WARSAW, June 21 (Reuters) - Poland's ruling party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski returned to the cabinet as deputy prime minister on Wednesday, taking up a more prominent role ahead of a closely fought election expected in October or November. The other deputy prime ministers resigned and will continue as ministers. Kaczynski previously served as deputy prime minister from October 2020 till June 2022, and also headed Poland's security committee. Although PiS is ahead in most opinion polls, a question mark remains over whether it can secure a parliamentary majority. Divisons in the ruling coalition have also re-emerged over Poland's relations with Brussels, after the EU withheld funding over rule of law concerns.

Persons: Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Kaczynski, Andrzej Duda, PiS, Pawel Florkiewicz, Karol Badohal, Alan Charlish, Gareth Jones, Emma Rumney Organizations: WARSAW, Law, Justice, European Union, PiS, Thomson Locations: Republic, Warsaw, Brussels

☆ Poland wants to boost its minimum wage by 20% — and it's got economists worried
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Polish government has proposed an increase to national minimum of around 20% in 2024, a move economists believe will keep inflation higher for longer. Jan Woitas/picture alliance via Getty ImagesPoland's government has proposed a record rise in the national minimum wage of more than 23%, a move economists are worried will exacerbate double-digit inflation. In an interview with state-controlled news agency PAP last month, Polish Family and Social Policy Minister Marlena Malag said the minimum wage increase was designed to help people cope with the increased cost of living. Consumer price inflation in Poland eased in May, but still increased 13% year-on-year. He highlighted that given a "notable increase" in the number of workers that receive minimum wage in Poland in recent years, the impact of the latest increase is likely to be "meaningful."

Persons: Jan Woitas, —, Donald Tusk, Marlena Malag, Adam Glapinski, Rafal Benecki, Benecki, Nicholas Farr Organizations: Justice, Getty Images, Coalition, European, Social, National Bank of Poland, Monetary, ING Poland, Capital Economics Locations: WARSAW, Poland, Warsaw, Central, Eastern Europe, Polish, Europe

☆ Polish LGBTQ crowds march to demand equal rights as election looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/8] People take selfie on the day of an annual LGBT Equality Parade in Warsaw, Poland June 17, 2023. With an election in October or November looking tight, activists expect PiS to use issues like gay marriage or teaching about LGBTQ issues in schools to mobilise socially conservative voters. It also says that teaching about LGBTQ issues in schools results in children being sexualised. "We want to celebrate but also fight for more rights [for the LGBTQ community] in Poland," Gora told Reuters. While thousands celebrated marching to the sounds of music, a group of anti-LGBTQ activists from the Foundation for Life and Family burned rainbow flags, the symbol of the LGBTQ community.

Persons: Alicja Herda, PiS, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Rafal Trzaskowski, Krzysztof Gora, Gora, Sabrina, Agnieszka Pikulicka, Alan Charlish, Nick Macfie, Mike Harrison Organizations: Equality Parade, REUTERS, Law and Justice, Warsaw, Reuters, Foundation for Life, Thomson Locations: Warsaw, Poland, WARSAW, Europe, London

☆ Polish LGBTQ march seeks to show strength as election looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/8] People take selfie on the day of an annual LGBT Equality Parade in Warsaw, Poland June 17, 2023. It also says that teaching about LGBTQ issues in schools results in children being sexualised. This view, which is regularly featured in state-run media, strikes a chord with many voters in the predominantly Catholic country. For Herda, the fears some conservatives have regarding LGBTQ rights are unfounded. In her view, education about LGBTQ issues is beneficial.

Persons: Poland's, Alicja Herda, PiS, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Alan Charlish, Nick Macfie Organizations: Equality Parade, REUTERS, Law and Justice, Thomson Locations: Warsaw, Poland, WARSAW

Abortion rights activists have said that there were at least five cases of pregnant women dying whose families came out to the media, blaming the restrictions on abortion for their deaths. Last month, Dorota died of septic shock in a hospital after her water broke in the 20th week of pregnancy. Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party leader said that by law women could have abortions if there was any threat to their life or health. "I hope the law will change and I will not be afraid to get pregnant in Poland," said Joanna Jędrasiak, 36, an economist. Reporting by Karol Badohal, Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk; Editing by Aurora EllisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mateusz Morawiecki, Dorota, We've, Izabela, Agnieszka Czerederecka, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, It's, IBRiS, Joanna Jędrasiak, Karol Badohal, Agnieszka Pikulicka, Anna Wlodarczak, Aurora Ellis Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Justice, Radio, Thomson Locations: Europe, Warsaw, Poland, WARSAW

☆ Analysis: Poland is a key Western ally. But its government keeps testing the limits of democracy
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A clear sign that Poland was still a key ally – despite accusations that its government is undermining democracy and the rule of law. Law and Justice has so far struggled to take a decisive lead over the opposition Civic Platform grouping. Then on Wednesday, the European Commission announced it was suing Poland over a new law that sets up a special commission tasked with investigating Russian influence in Polish politics. The Commission said the law violates the principle of democracy and could be used to silence opposition. Law and Justice has justified the law by saying the dependence on Russian gas has hurt Poland’s interests.

Persons: Joe Biden, –, it’s, ” Aleks, Biden, ”, Agnieszka Kubal, “, Donald Tusk, Tusk, Andrzej Duda, ” Kubal, Szczerbiak, you’re Organizations: CNN, NATO, Russia, University of Sussex, Law, Justice, of Slavonic, East European Studies, University College London, Ukrainian, European Commission, US State Department, Gazprom, EU Locations: Poland, Ukraine, Warsaw, United States, Germany, Russia

☆ Pat Robertson, televangelist who mobilized Christian voters, dead at 93
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

June 8 (Reuters) - Pat Robertson, the televangelist who helped turn Christian conservatives into a potent force in U.S. politics, died at age 93 at his Virginia home, the Christian Broadcasting Network said in a statement on Thursday. Robertson founded the network in 1960 and hosted the flagship program "The 700 Club" for decades, offering prayers and political commentary. In 1980, the show helped galvanize support among Christian conservatives for Republican Ronald Reagan's successful campaign for president. His "The 700 Club" show - stemming from a fundraising telethon in which he asked 700 viewers to send monthly contributions - drew a committed audience. Nicknamed "Pat" by his older brother, he was born Marion Gordon Robertson in Lexington, Virginia, on March 22, 1930.

Persons: Pat Robertson, Robertson, Republican Ronald Reagan's, God, Hugo Chavez, Satan, Pat, Marion Gordon Robertson, Absalom Robertson, Dede, Gordon, Doina Chiacu, Joseph Ax, Susan Heavey, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Christian Broadcasting Network, Republican, Christian Coalition, Republican Party, U.S, Virginia Democrat, U.S . House, U.S . Senate, Yale Law School, New York Theological Seminary, Regent University, American Center for Law, Justice, Thomson Locations: U.S, Virginia, Iowa, Midwestern, France, Lexington , Virginia, New

☆ Pat Robertson, the televangelist who helped turn Christianity into a political force, is dead at 93
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Ben Finley | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Robertson was a televangelist who helped bring Christianity to the center of the Republican Party. Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson was born March 22, 1930, in Lexington, Virginia, to Absalom Willis Robertson and Gladys Churchill Robertson. Robertson was interested in politics until he found religion, Dede Robertson told the AP in 1987. Pat Robertson listens as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. But after President Trump lost to Joe Biden in 2020, Robertson said Trump was living in an "alternate reality" and should "move on," news outlets reported.

Persons: Pat Robertson, Robertson, —, — Pat Robertson, Steve Helber, George H.W, George H.W . Bush, Jeffrey K, Hadden, ″, ″ Robertson, Bush, — Robertson, John C, Green, Marion Gordon, Pat, Absalom Willis Robertson, Gladys Churchill Robertson, Pam MacDonald, Adelia, Dede, Elmer, Dede Robertson, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump, God, George W, Hugo Chavez, misspoke, Bill Clinton, Trump, Kellyanne Conway, Joe Biden, Robertson's, Gordon, Rupert Murdoch's Organizations: Christian Broadcasting Network, Republican Party, Service, Christian Coalition, Regent University, American Center for Law, Justice, University of Virginia, Associated Press, ″, Republican, House, The University of Akron, U.S, Representative, Washington, Lee University, 1st Marine Division, Yale University Law School, Conservative, Conference, Yale, Southern Baptist, Catholic, AP, New York Theological Seminary, CBN, University of Akron, White, Trump, International, Entertainment Inc, The, Rupert, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp Locations: Va, Virginia, America, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake , Virginia, Iowa, George H.W ., U.S, Chesapeake, Lexington , Virginia, Korea, Houston, Southern, New York, Bedford, Stuyvesant, Ohio, New, Portsmouth , Va, Virginia Beach , Virginia, Pennsylvania, Orlando , Florida, Kenya, IFE

The United States should take note. After praising Poland as one of the United States’ “great allies,” Mr. Biden stressed the importance of defending freedom and democracy. The party’s newly burnished international image as steadfast friend to Ukraine only helps to entrench such support. The United States, for one, exerts considerable influence in Poland. What’s more, Washington could make financial assistance — last year, the United States invested $288.6 million in Poland’s military — conditional on compliance with democratic standards and the rule of law.

Persons: genuflection, Donald Tusk, Biden, United States ’ “, ” Mr, What’s, — Organizations: Nazi, Soviet, Poland, United, Law, Justice, hasn’t Locations: —, Ukraine, Poland, Finland, Baltic States, Romania, United States, Warsaw, India, Turkey, Rwanda, Russia, China, Washington

☆ Poland's opposition brings thousands onto streets to protest against nationalist government
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Crowds stretching for at least a mile marched with banners reading “Free, European Poland,” “European Union yes, PiS no,” referring to the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party. People march on the 34th anniversary of the first democratic elections in postwar Poland, in Warsaw on June 4, 2023. On Sunday, hundreds of buses arrived in Warsaw to bring opposition supporters from across the country. The opposition sees the legislation as a government attempt to launch a witch hunt against political opponents. “It’s beyond comprehension,” said Andrzej Majewski, 48, from Slupca in western Poland who was in Warsaw to join Sunday’s protest march

Persons: ”, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, I’ve, Jacek Gwozdz, Mateusz Morawiecki’s, Slawomir Kaminski, Agencja Wyborcza.pl, Donald Tusk, “, Tusk, I’m, Andrzej Duda, Andrzej Majewski Organizations: Justice, Police, Kremlin, European Union council, “, Solidarity, European Commission Locations: Warsaw, European Poland, “, Nowy Sacz, Ukraine, Europe, Poland, it’s, United States, Slupca

☆ Polish opposition supporters mark 1989 Solidarity win
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/8] People carry Polish and European Union flags as they take part in a march on the 34th anniversary of the first democratic elections in postwar Poland, in Warsaw, Poland, June 4, 2023. Crowds stretching for at least a mile marched with banners reading "Free, European Poland", "European Union yes, PiS no", referring to the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party. Donald Tusk, head of the Civic Platform grouping and a former European Union council chief, welcomed supporters saying that the voice of Poles could not be silenced. On Sunday, hundreds of buses arrived in Warsaw to bring opposition supporters from across the country. The opposition sees the legislation as a government attempt to launch a witchhunt against political opponents.

Persons: Jaroslaw Kaczynski, I've, Jacek Gwozdz, Mateusz Morawiecki's, Donald Tusk, Tusk, I'm, Andrzej Duda, Andrzej Majewski, Marek Strzelecki, Nick Macfie, Susan Fenton, Angus MacSwan Organizations: REUTERS, Justice, Police, Law and Justice, Kremlin, European Union council, Solidarity, European Commission, Thomson Locations: Poland, Warsaw, WARSAW, Nowy Sacz, Ukraine, Europe, it's, United States, Slupca

☆ Polish opposition supporters, seeking change, mark 1989 Solidarity win
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] People wait for a march organised by main opposition party the Civic Platform (PO) on the 34th anniversary of the first democratic elections in postwar Poland, in Warsaw, Poland, June 4, 2023. On Sunday, hundreds of buses were arriving in Warsaw to bring opposition supporters from across the country. Some said they were motivated by a row over legislation proposed by PiS to weed out undue Russian influence from the country. The opposition sees the legislation as a government attempt to launch a witchhunt against political opponents. "It's beyond comprehension," said Andrzej Majewski, 48, from Slupca in western Poland who was in Warsaw to join Sunday's protest march.

Persons: Mateusz Morawiecki, Donald Tusk, Tusk, Andrzej Duda, Andrzej Majewski, Marek Strzelecki, Nick Macfie, Susan Fenton Organizations: REUTERS, Law and Justice, Kremlin, European Union council, Solidarity, U.S . State Department, European Commission, Thomson Locations: Poland, Warsaw, WARSAW, Ukraine, Europe, Slupca

☆ Immense Crowds Protest Poland’s Governing Conservative Party
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Andrew Higgins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Referring to the opening line of the Polish national anthem, he added: “It’s over. Warsaw’s City Hall, which is controlled by political foes of the government, put the turnout at half a million. That was almost certainly an exaggeration but, even accounting for inflated numbers, the march on Sunday appeared to be the biggest antigovernment demonstration since street protests in the 1980s in support of Solidarity. TVP Info, a state-controlled news channel, reported that only 100,000 people had taken part at most and focused its minimal coverage of the march on obscenities voiced by some protesters, a tactic often used by pro-government news outlets to portray critics of Law and Justice as foul-mouthed infidels opposed to the Roman Catholic Church. As huge crowds gathered on Sunday afternoon, TVP Info led its news bulletin with a report on the “National Parade of Farmer’s Housewives’ Circles,” a modestly attended event organized by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Persons: Lech Walesa Organizations: Solidarity, Law, Justice, Communist, Roman Catholic Church, Ministry of Agriculture Locations: Poland, Warsaw’s

☆ Polish president backpedals on law on undue Russian influence
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WARSAW, June 2 (Reuters) - Poland's President Andrzej Duda said on Friday he would propose amendments to a law on undue Russian influence he signed this week, reacting to criticism that it could result in banning opposition politicians from public office. Duda on Monday signed into law the bill proposed by the ruling party to let a panel investigate whether opposition parties allowed Poland to be unduly influenced by Russia. A spokesman for ruling nationalists Law and Justice (PiS) suggested the amendments could be acceptable for the party. "The amendment proposed by the president as a result of social pressure does not change anything. The entire law establishing this illegal kangaroo court should end up in the trash," Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, leader of the Polish Peasants' Party (PSL), wrote on Twitter.

Persons: Andrzej Duda, Duda, Monday, PiS, Jarosław Kaczynski, Rafal Bochenek, Wladyslaw Kosiniak, Anna Wlodarczak, Andrew Cawthorne, Emelia, Angus MacSwan Organizations: WARSAW, Constitutional, U.S . State Department, European, Justice, Polish Peasants ' Party, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Poland, Russia, Polish

☆ San Francisco’s Ousted District Attorney Has a New Job
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Tim Arango | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It was almost a year ago that San Francisco voters ousted their liberal district attorney, Chesa Boudin, in a recall election, as public frustration was growing over property crime and the visible despair and squalor on city streets. There was no compelling evidence that Boudin’s policies had made crime worse; overall, crime in San Francisco changed little in the time he was in office. The job is wide-ranging and will involve teaching, researching the effects of changes in criminal justice laws in California and advocating new laws, in the State Capitol and in court. “It’s a job that’s going to allow me to draw on the lived experience I had visiting my parents in prison for a combined 63 years, and the practical professional experience I had both as a public defender and elected district attorney in San Francisco,” Boudin said. When he was a toddler, his parents, members of a radical left-wing group, went to prison for their roles in a botched robbery that left three men dead.

Persons: Chesa Boudin, Boudin, “, ” Boudin Organizations: San Francisco, Law, Justice Center, Berkeley School of Law, State Capitol Locations: San Francisco, California

☆ Polish president to sign Russian influence bill despite opposition protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WARSAW, May 29 (Reuters) - Poland's president said on Monday he would sign off on a bill authorising a panel to investigate Russian influence despite opposition criticism it is witch hunt against government opponents in an election year. Opposition figures call a bill to set up an investigative commission the "Lex Tusk", using the Latin term for "law". PO lawmaker Marcin Kierwinski condemned Duda's decision to sign the bill. "In a normal democratic country, somebody who is president of that country would never sign such a Stalin-esque law," he told private broadcaster TVN 24. Reporting by Alan Charlish, Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk, Anna Koper; editing by Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Poland to raise minimum wage twice in 2024, minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WARSAW, May 27 (Reuters) - Poland plans to raise the minimum wage twice in 2024 to help people cope with high inflation, Family and Social Policy Minister Marlena Malag said, as the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party prepares for a parliamentary election later this year. "The minimum wage next year will be above 4,200 zlotys ($1,015)," Malag was quoted as saying by state-controlled news agency PAP. She said that, like in 2023, next year the minimum wage will be raised in two steps - from Jan. 1 and July 1. The minimum wage was raised to 3,490 zlotys from January 2023 and will be lifted to 3,600 zlotys from July. ($1 = 4.1422 zlotys)Reporting by Anna Koper; Editing by Alison WilliamsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Geoff Gottlieb, the IMF's Senior Regional Representative for Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, warned of the potential for fiscal policy to fuel inflation and so force monetary policy to remain tighter for longer. "We think Polish fiscal policy can do more to help reduce inflation," he said in an interview. "A new fiscal impetus would likely add to inflationary pressures and could also necessitate additional monetary policy tightening." "Our recommendation is for the (Monetary Policy Council) to resume monetary policy tightening if key indicators - core inflation momentum, wage growth, and the economy - fail to slow as projected," he said, urging the MPC to make clear that talk of cuts was premature. The European Commission projects Poland's average inflation rate at 6% next year, the highest in the European Union, retreating from nearly twice that level expected this year.

☆ Analysis: Why Erdogan's fate matters to Biden and the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Erdogan’s fate will have major implications not just for his country’s democracy, which he has worked to weaken, but for US foreign policy too. “Our people should be confident that we will definitely win, and we will bring democracy to this country,” he said. Biden’s entire presidency has unfolded in the shadow of autocrats, assaults on democracy and aspiring strongman leaders – abroad, and most remarkably at home. Biden confronts a threat from democracy at homeBut none of those leaders pose an existential threat to US democracy. Ahead of the election, Kilicdaroglu was talking in very similar terms about the need to preserve democracy as Biden does in the US.

☆ Poland to ramp up child benefit payments from 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WARSAW, May 14 (Reuters) - The Polish government will increase monthly child benefit payments to 800 zlotys ($193.13) per child from 500 zlotys from the start of 2024, the leader of the ruling Law and Justice Party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, said on Sunday. The family support program called "Family 500 plus" is a flagship project of the Law and Justice party (PiS), which was introduced in 2016. "... from the new year, 500 plus will be 800 plus," Kaczynski told a convention before parliamentary elections due this autumn. Child benefit payments currently cost the state budget over 40 billion zlotys a year. The next election convention of the Law and Justice party is to be held in June.

Farmers in Poland and other eastern European countries who held out for higher prices have been hit by a perfect storm. A jump in exports from Brazil and Russia helped to drive global grain prices lower while the EU opened its borders to tariff-free Ukrainian grain imports in a show of solidarity after Russia blocked the country's Black Sea ports. After opening its borders to Ukrainian grain, Poland imported 2.08 million tonnes of maize and 579,315 tonnes of wheat last year, up from just 6,269 tonnes of maize and 3,033 tonnes of wheat in 2021. If the grain corridor due to expire this month were to collapse, Ukrainian farmers would have little option but to send all their grain exports through eastern Europe. European wheat prices hit post-harvest highs in October 2022 of more than 350 euros a tonne but since then prices have dropped to pre-invasion levels of about 235 euros.

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