President Duda said in the televised speech that the new “solidarity allowance” would come to PLN 1,200 (EUR 260, USD 290) a month and be paid over a period of three months. He also said that the regular unemployment benefit should go up to PLN 1,300 a month from the current 900 PLN a month. Poland’s presidential elections are due to take place on May 10, with a potential second round scheduled for May 24. The Polish parliament on April 6 passed a bill under which presidential elections would be held by postal vote.
The Polish Foreign Ministry in Warsaw has commemorated the 16 years since Poland became a member of the European Union, tweeting of the joining of a community of nations based on values including solidarity. Poland became a member of the EU on May 1, 2004, a historic step that underlined the country’s re-alignment with the West after decades of communist rule. Polish President Andrzej Duda this week wrote a letter to European leaders urging greater cooperation amid the coronavirus pandemic. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki last week called for a “new Marshall Plan” for Europe to aid the continent’s recovery from the coronavirus crisis.
This weekend marks two patriotic days as Poles are being urged to hang out the national red-and-white colours ahead of the country’s Flag Day today and in the UK it is Polish Heritage days. In Poland, people across the country are being encouraged to display a flag in front of their home, on a balcony or in their workplace, take a photo and share it on social media. The aim of the Polish Heritage Days is to celebrate Polish Flag Day on May 2, and May 3rd Constitution Day as well as to promote Polish culture, heritage of past generations, and Polish contribution to cultural, economic, and social life of the United Kingdom.
Today is the day when 46 years ago, Gdańsk airport opened its doors and tarmac for the first time. On May 2nd 1974, a flight from Wrocław touched down at 11.40 am marking the beginning of a remarkable journey of transformation. On board that flight were some of the Polish political dignitaries of the time in the first 13 passengers to use the airport. Today the airport is the 3rd largest in Poland, serving 5.4 million passengers last year and with an operating profit of 50 million PLN. It operates 88 air connections to 71 airports in 22 countries.
Weather
Today will be a sunny day with scattered clouds and a moderate breeze. Temperatures will reach around 11 degrees centigrade (52 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, dropping to 3 degrees centigrade overnight. Sunday should remain sunny with scattered clouds and temperatures of around 13 degrees centigrade.
Martin Caren/ako
