Polish president vetoes lower healthcare dues for small businesses
Polish President Andrzej Duda has vetoed a parliamentary bill aiming to reduce the healthcare contribution burden for small businesses, the head of Duda's office announced on Tuesday.
Malgorzata Paprocka said the legislation raised "serious" doubts about its agreement with the principles of social justice and the Polish constitution.
Parliament approved the bill on April 4. The legislation was supported by most of the governing centrist coalition and opposed by the left-wing coalition partners and the main opposition party, the socially-conservative Law and Justice, who Duda is affiliated with.
The change was designed to reduce ongoing expenses of some 2.5 million sole proprietors and small businesses and would cost the state budget PLN 4.6 billion (EUR 1.08 billion).
Prime Minister Donald Tusk sharply criticised the president's decision to veto the bill. "They are doing harm, as they still can. Ninety-one days, nine hours and two minutes left," he wrote on the X platform, referring to the end of the president's term of office.
Duda's second term ends on August 6, 2025.
Poland's presidential ballot is scheduled for May 18, with a potential runoff on June 1 if no candidate secures an outright majority in the first round. Poles will elect their next president for a five-year term. (PAP)
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