Gabriel Hawryluk

European Union countries use different time zones, ranging from UTC to UTC+2. Under EU Directive 2000/84/EC, however, they must all switch to summer time on the last Sunday in March, moving the clocks forward by one hour. Changing the clocks is criticized for its costs and lack of tangible benefits.

The Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs has moved to the next stage of works on the digital tax bill. Another sectoral levy will almost certainly increase service prices for consumers and smaller businesses. The estimated — and probably overstated — tax revenues of PLN 1.7–4 billion will not materially improve public finances, whose problems stem from excessive spending rather than insufficient revenue.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski recently announced plans to introduce a digital tax in Poland on the revenues or profits of big tech corporations operating in the country.¹ The funds raised would be used to subsidize the development of Polish companies and start-ups in the digital technology sector and media.

The Sunday shopping ban (initially on selected Sundays, later on almost all) has been in force in Poland since 2018. The bill proposed by the Third Way intends to restore trade on the first and third Sundays of each month, in line with the Coalition’s parliamentary campaign promises. Even restoring trade every other Sunday should be regarded as a step in the right direction.

Over the last eight years, the Law and Justice (PiS) government in Poland redefined the boundaries of regulations governing the lifestyle of citizens, introducing a series of laws and regulations aimed at promoting desired or healthy habits and behaviors, while limiting access to products and services deemed harmful.