WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The leader of Poland’s ruling Conservative Party promised voters on Sunday a raft of new benefits, including a major increase in a popular benefit for families with children.
Poland will hold parliamentary elections this fall. No date has yet been set, but the vote is expected to take place in October or early November at the latest.
Party leader Law and Justice Jaroslaw Kaczynski said at a party convention he plans to increase the 500 zloty ($120) parents receive monthly for each child under 18 to 800 zloty ($192) starting in January.
Kaczynski also said Law and Justice would provide free drugs to people age 65 and older and to those under age 18. highways in the future.
The party has been ruling Poland for eight years and spending on social benefits has boosted its popularity.
Some Poles, including some economists and members of the business community, oppose the large benefits, saying it is a factor behind dramatic increases in the cost of living. Inflation rose to over 18% this year, but has fallen slightly since then.
Recent polls indicate that Law and Justice is more popular than any other party, but could not win enough votes to govern alone.
