The President convenes the Cabinet Council

"I decided to hold a meeting of the Cabinet Council tomorrow. I want to discuss with the government the adoption of a specific aid package for entrepreneurs and our economy," said Andrzej Duda in a Twitter video of the President's Chancellery. "This situation shows the importance of the President's cooperation with the government. I am convinced that our responsible economic policy, which has allowed us to achieve great success in recent years, will have a good impact also in the face of global unrest," he said.

The President stressed that Poland is struggling with the coronavirus epidemic and that the state institutions were involved in the fight. "All Poles joined. Thank you very much for that, because health and safety are the most important," he said.

"We already know that unfortunately the epidemic will also have economic consequences. The global crisis will negatively affect the state of the Polish economy. The task of the rulers is to minimize the effects of this situation, which can affect us all," the President stressed.

He recalled that he invited representatives of the financial sector to the Presidential Palace last week. "I asked them to take immediate action. I am glad that already today the first decisions that I have made to help millions of borrowers were announced by the Association of Polish Banks. I expect banks to agree to suspend the repayment of loans not only for three months, but for six months if necessary," he added. On Monday evening, President Andrzej Duda met with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on the Stability and Security Package.

The Stability and Security Package, as previously stated by the Head of Government on Monday, is the subject of the Council of Ministers' work. "This package is needed because we are aware that many industries will suffer. The whole Polish economy, the whole world economy, and in particular the European economy will definitely feel the fight against coronavirus epidemic" - said Morawiecki.

According to the head of the Polish Development Fund Paweł Boris, this is to be a package of solutions supporting entrepreneurs, protecting the labour market and stimulating economic growth. These include access to credit for small and medium-sized companies, the transfer of insurance premiums and the possibility to use the so-called parking.

According to information from the Ministry of Health Monday evening, 177 cases of coronavirus infection have been confirmed in Poland so far; four people have died.

On matters of particular importance, the President may convene the Cabinet Council, which is set up by the Council of Ministers, chaired by the President.

Source: PAP