Today we return to the budget for 2027. I hope this is the final government meeting on this matter, and we would like Parliament to begin work on this draft as soon as possible. Especially since I want to remind everyone—because from my point of view, and I believe for all of us, it is absolutely crucial—what in this budget is addressed to the people, in this case to the taxpayers, to a very large group of taxpayers. A budget is, of course, statistics, and various types of criteria, but it is worth realizing that this budget act and the accompanying acts contain a project that several million people have been waiting for. I am referring to the previously announced change in the PIT tax scale, under which there will be three tax brackets. Assuming, of course, that the entire process concludes positively, meaning with the President's signature, which I will mention in a moment. The first bracket will be raised to 130,000 PLN while maintaining the 12% tax rate. So, those who pay a 12% tax will have a threshold of 130,000 PLN instead of 120,000. A new intermediate rate of 24% will be introduced for income above 130,000 PLN up to 150,000 PLN. This means that, unlike before, when people earning over 120,000 fell immediately into that harsh, highest bracket, now, not only is the threshold raised, but from 130,000 up to 150,000, the tax will be 24%. And only the third, highest rate of 32% will apply to earnings above 150,000. This means, and this is the reason why we attach such great importance to this change, that those who were paying at the 32% rate, that those taxpayers will now be 7%, whereas it was 14%. So, this group of people—those most severely affected by this high tax rate—will be cut in half. And roughly 3.5 million taxpayers will benefit from the changes in this draft, and it will be possible to save up to 3,600 PLN per year from these changes; we realize everyone would like to pay the lowest taxes possible, obviously. But considering the state's obligations, stemming also from defense needs, the wartime situation beyond our borders, and the large increase in health spending, etc., we looked for the most responsible ways, and for now, this is what is possible. And, most certainly, for those 3.5 million taxpayers, this will be felt very positively. As we agreed, these tax changes were meant to be self-financing, meaning an increase in CIT, but only for the wealthiest and largest entities. We agreed with the Minister of Finance and Economy that we would fund these tax changes from taxes that affect the largest and wealthiest. And that is why, from the state budget's perspective—and thus the interests of many social groups—this project is neutral, and from our point of view, it is a sign of responsibility. I have one remark, because today we will be discussing nine projects, well, actually 10 bills that accompany the budget, which in a sense make up these changes in the budget for 2027 year. So we will have to count on a majority in parliament. Which, I am convinced, we will guarantee. But in the end, the president's signature is needed. I do not want to dwell on the president's decisions every day, although there are more than enough reasons, but I cannot help but notice that, just like in the case of the fuel price cuts, where the stubbornness from the Presidential Palace will cost people another few weeks of very high prices at gas stations if we don't get that signature. And I also hear signals that not everyone there likes the idea of people paying slightly lower taxes, and I would very much like the president's decisions to serve the people. They don't have to serve the government. I have no illusions about the president's attitude toward the government, but people should not have to pay for that. So I really count on the fact that this real, effective tax cut—because that is how it should be treated—felt by 3.5 million people, is an argument sufficient enough for the president's signature to be on these acts. I am really, really counting on it. Unless I am naive, but we will all see that soon enough. I also want to emphasize, ladies and gentlemen, what I have said many times, that we face very demanding weeks and months ahead, related to Russia's increasingly aggressive stance toward Ukraine. And unfortunately, these aggressive actions by Russia toward Ukraine are getting closer to our border. Yesterday, drones struck very close to the Polish border, about 1,000 meters from a road border crossing. Every night or every day, we have to scramble our aircraft multiple times, because Russia's attacks near the Polish border, specifically on border crossings and infrastructure near the border, have now become permanent in nature. We are very focused on ensuring that nothing bad happens on the Polish side. I must emphasize that, especially in these last few days, our cooperation with the Ukrainian side has been exemplary, and we can count, as was the case last night, on immediate information and actions from the Ukrainians, who try not only to inform us that something is flying toward Poland but also to eliminate this threat while still over Ukraine. And in recent days, I must say, this cooperation has been particularly intense and, of course, has had a positive impact on our security. That is all for this open part of the Council of Ministers meeting. Thank you very much to the media.
