Law and Justice proposes increasing student benefits to 800 PLN

Law and Justice (PiS) has proposed increasing the ‘Dobry Start’ benefit for students from 300 PLN to 800 PLN for the 2026/2027 school year. Former Education Minister Przemysław Czarnek justified the proposal by citing rising prices and the fact that the current amount has remained unchanged for years. The plan would provide an additional 500 PLN per student.

Sławomir Mentzen, leader of New Hope, criticized the proposal on social media, suggesting the social-focused approach aligns more with left-wing coalitions like Razem and Lewica. The debate highlights a division within the Polish right regarding whether to support families through direct state transfers or through lower taxes and reduced bureaucracy. While PiS advocates for increased social spending, critics have noted that the party has not yet disclosed the full cost of the program or its specific funding sources.