Prime minister vows 2026 will be "a year of acceleration" for Poland
The Polish government will step up its priority operations in 2026, including efforts to build the "the strongest army in Europe," intensify infrastructural investments and revive domestic industry, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said.
In a televised New Year's address on Thursday evening, Tusk pledged faster progress across several strategic areas.
"We will accelerate the construction of the strongest army in Europe," he said. "We will accelerate major infrastructure investments."
Tusk also spoke of Poland's ambitions in the Baltic Sea, pointing to increased investment in offshore wind farms as well as oil and gas extraction. "It will be a year of rapid conquest of the Baltic Sea," he said.
The prime minister announced an "intensive push to re-Polonise and restore industry, particularly the defence sector." "The 'local content' or 'Polish first' principle will become an ironclad rule in public procurement," he said.
Tusk further vowed a tougher stance on crime, promising "a crackdown on criminals of all kinds — from football hooligan leaders and drug dealers, to corrupt politicians or pro-Russian militants."
"Everyone, without exception, who breaks the law will bitterly regret it in the coming year," he said, adding that Poland "should and will be an oasis of security."
Earlier on Thursday, Tusk addressed Europeans in a New Year's message posted on X, urging them to follow Poland's example by being "vibrant, courageous and safe."
He also referenced a recent Forbes ranking that named Warsaw the most attractive European city to visit in 2026. (PAP)
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