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At a press conference on Sunday, Law and Justice (PiS) leader Jarosław Kaczyński presented the highlights of his party's new social and economic program.

He called for a complete reorganization of public finances, the introduction of higher taxes for banks and large retail networks, the launching of a 10-year plan to combat unemployment and a revamp of Poland’s education system. He also called for lower taxes for pensioners and a suspension of the government's pension reform act.

To help fight unemployment Mr Kaczyński proposed a housing construction program that will aid in the creation of 1.2 million new jobs.

“As the only opposition party – since the opposition of others is, well, somewhat puzzling – we need to start an offensive,” Mr Kaczyński said, promising that PiS will be keeping a close eye on the government’s moves in the upcoming months.

However, economists spoken to by Rzeczpospolita were dubious about the plan.

“PiS' proposals in the current situation in which Europe finds itself are ridiculous,” said Ryszard Petru, partner at PwC.

He was particularly critical of Mr Kaczyński's proposal to scrap employment contracts that simplify the process of hiring and firing.

Poland A.M.