Polish troops have taken on a key role in Nato defence strategy yesterday, after taking over leadership of the alliance’s rapid reaction force.

The Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, or VJTF, is the first responce team which is held on standby to deploy in a matter of hours and days in the event of a threat to a Nato member.

Poland will lead the force for the next year, after taking over from Germany on January 1st.

The 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade will form the core of the force, with support from 12th Mechanized Division, 3rd Transport Aviation Wing, and Military Police, as well as logistics and experts in countering Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear warfare.

The 3000 Poles will serve alongside troops from other Nato members, including Italy, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and the UK. Together they will be responsible for immediately responding to any threat to any Nato member state.

Nato Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, thanked Poland for taking over leadership of the task force, adding „This force is available to move immediately to defend any Ally against any threat. At a time of unprecedented security challenges, it is more important than ever”.

Minimum Wage Increase Comes Into Force

Thousands of people across the country will enjoy a little more money in their pockets this year after a new minimum wage kicked in on New Year’s Day.

The minimum monthly wage rose to 2,600 Zł or about 609 Euros, up from 2,250 Zł in 2019.

Meanwhile, the minimum hourly rate went up to 17 Zł, or about 4 Euros, from 14.70 Zł.

The raises were announced by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki back in September and are the first stage in plans to raise the minimum wage incrementally over the next two years.

Conservative leader Jarosław Kaczyński told an election campaign rally that the minimum wage would be risen to 3000 Zł per month by the end of 2020 and would later be risen further to 4000.

The policy is part of a wider set of extensive spending pledges introduced by the ruling conservative party in last year’s parliamentary elections.

„Venetian Viaduct” Nears Completion

A new viaduct being built in South Gdansk is nearing completion and is expected to open in the next two weeks.

The viaduct is part of the new Aleja Pawła Adamowicza, previously known as Nowa Bulońska, which connects districts in the area south of the city centre.

The bridge is made up of eight round arches giving it an appearance reminiscent of historic Roman architecture and leading to it being dubbed „the Venetian Viaduct”.

The builders are using a mix of ancient and most modern construction methods including onsite prefabrication and technology the prevent ice forming on the road in winter.

The viaduct is set to open to road traffic on January 13th with a new tram route due to open in May.

„Walruses” Take to the Water for New Year’s Day Swim in the Baltic

An adrenaline rush or just crazy? Hundreds turned out yesterday for Gdansk’s annual New Year’s Day sea swimming.

About 150 swimmers, many of them in fancy dress, took to the water at Jelitkowo beach while family, friends, and those prefer not to run into near freezing sea water cheered them on from the shore.

This year the various nuns, pirates, Santas and Neptunes were joined by some VIP guests.

Among those braving the Baltic was Gdansk’s Deputy Mayor Piotr Grzelak, with Mayor Dulkiewicz cheering him on from the safety of dry land.

Weather

A bright but chilly day with that cold wind continuing to keep temperatures feeling below just freezing. No rain or snow expected but a good chance of some fog into tomorrow morning.

RGEN / TAH