Vladimir Putin will potentially be able to remain in power until 2036 after a substantial majority (78%) of Russian voters approved constitutional amendments in an election that ended yesterday evening.
The set of constitutional reforms also included amendments to protect pensions as well as a de facto ban on same-sex marriages. The amendments, coupled with one-off payments to families with children and prize drawings for flats and other goods, reportedly contributed to a boost in voter turnout, estimated at 65% by election officials.

According to Reuters, critics have described the reforms as  a „constitutional coup” with opposition politician Alexei Navalny calling the vote „an illegitimate and illegal show designed to legalize Putin’s presidency for life.” Navalny has vowed not to recognize the result but has stated the opposition would hold off protesting for now due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Source: Reuters

Gazprom returns 1.5 billion to PGNiG

In a victory for state-run Polish utility company PGNiG, Russia’s natural gas conglomerate Gazprom has returned around USD 1.5 billion in delivery overpayments following a ruling by an international arbitration court.

In a post on Twitter, PGNiG CEO Jerzy Kwieciński announced yesterday that the money had already reached his company’s account. A senior aide to President Andrzej Duda described the payment as „a great diplomatic and judicial victory for Poland over a company that has hiked prices in an unauthorized way.”

The move follows a decision in late March by the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce. The ruling was issued in response to a case over a pricing dispute that began in November 2014.

According to Secretary of State for Strategic Energy Infrastructure Piotr Naimski, Poland plans to stop buying Russian gas after the long-term supply contract with Russia’s state-owned producer Gazprom expires in 2022.

Source: Radio Poland

New VAT structure goes into effect

In positive news for consumers, a new VAT structure went into effect in Poland yesterday, which will reportedly simplify the current system and allow consumers to keep some PLN 300 million in their pockets.

In addition to a reduction in the number of categories of goods and services subject to VAT, the new system will see a reduction in VAT rates for many key products, including citrus fruits, certain nuts, processed spices, and personal hygiene and children’s products.  

The new changes will also help eliminate confusion on similar products with varying VAT rates. Before July 1, bread and pastry products were subject to varying rates of  5, 8, and 23 percent, depending on their longevity and expiry dates. Variations of different products were also taxed differently; „mustard” was taxed differently than „mustard sauce,” for example.

A few items will see an increase in price under the new scheme;  seafood (lobsters, octopus, shrimps, oysters, caviar, etc.) including meals prepared with seafood, will see a VAT increase from 5 and 8 percent to 23 percent. The increase to 23% will also apply to some vacation favorites, including firewood and ice used for food and refrigeration purposes.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Funds available for Pomeranian artists

The government of the Pomeranian Voivodeship has announced it will make PLN 200,000 in funding available as part of a scholarship scheme for artists from the region.

Anyone dealing with artistic creation, dissemination of culture, or protection of monuments, and who works or resides in the Pomeranian Voivodeship is eligible to apply for the funding.

As the press spokesman of the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship in Gdańsk Michał Piotrowski said on Tuesday, the scholarship competition is addressed mainly to the so-called „freelancers” – artists working on commission or paid for specific projects.

The maximum individual award is PLN 5,000 and the deadline for applications is July 15.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be partly cloudy and warm, with a strong breeze coming in from the west and little chance of rain. Temperatures will peak around a high of 23°C, or 73°F, dropping slightly overnight to 14°C or 58°F. Clouds and a chance of scattered rain showers are expected to return tomorrow, with Saturday forecast to be partly cloudy and warm.

Radio Gdańsk News/EP/am