Polish president pushes to reverse retirement reforms

According to Duda's draft bill, the retirement age would return to 65 for men and 60 for women, as opposed to 67 for both sexes as of 2012.

Duda, who won the presidential election in May, had pledged in his election campaign that reversing the 2012 reforms was one of his central goals.

He is backed by his former party, conservative Law and Justice, which swept to power in the October general election.

The former government, led by centrist party Civic Platform, had argued that the raising of the retirement age was imperative, as Poland is facing a demographic crisis, creating problems in covering pensions.

The ratio of Polish workers to pensioners is currently 3:1, but experts have forecast that by 2040 it may well be 2:1, and by 2060 1:1.

Duda tried to introduce his draft legislation in September, prior to the general election, but the speaker of Poland's lower house of parliament claimed that there was no time to address the matter.

Law and Justice's plan to combat Poland's demographic problem involves increased child allowance for every second and subsequent child.

Tax free legislation

Meanwhile, in line with another election campaign pledge, Duda has submitted a draft bill that would raise the tax free level, so as to aid the country's lowest earners.

Under the terms of Duda's draft legislation, the tax free sum is PLN 8000 (USD 2000). Previously, the level was PLN 3091. (nh/rk)