Polish PM on 'successes and mistakes' of first 100 days in power

At a press conference on Friday morning, Szydło cited a new bill that boosts child benefits as “the greatest success” of the Law and Justice party's term in office thus far.

The so-called 500+ programme, which will provide PLN 500 per month for every household's second and subsequent child, aims to combat Poland's low birth-rate.

Meanwhile, Szydlo said that “it's not the case that everything we did worked out,” adding that “we made some mistakes, as everyone does who takes on different activities.”

However, the policies that have caused the most controversy on the international arena, such as reforms of the judiciary, public media and the civil service, were not cited as mistakes.

Instead, she said that her government had not got it right with a policy that was originally designed to tax supermarket chains, but emerged as a bill that likewise affected lone franchisers.

Following protests, the government went back to the drawing board, and Szydło says a new version of the legislation will be ready next week.

The rule of law in Poland is currently being investigated by the European Commission, and US senators have likewise voiced their concerns in a letter to Szydło.

However, Szydlo claimed in an interview with Polish Radio following Friday's press conference that the European Union's internal problems were partly to blame for Poland's “complicated international situation.” (nh)