Here’s what happened — and what awaits us in the coming days.
What happened
Record diesel prices and VAT reduction in Poland. On Wednesday, March 25, the price of diesel fuel in Poland reached an average of PLN 8.69 per liter — the highest since October 2022. 95-octane gasoline cost PLN 7.14, and 98-octane gasoline cost PLN 7.89. The reason is rising oil prices caused by the US and Israel’s war with Iran and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the “Lower Fuel Prices” package: a reduction of VAT on fuel from 23% to 8%, a reduction of excise duty to the EU minimum, and the introduction of maximum prices set daily by the Minister of Energy. For the Polish diaspora, who regularly transfer dollars to families in Poland, the increase in fuel prices means an increase in the cost of living across the ocean.
Tusk: “The coming days may bring escalation.” On Friday, March 27, Prime Minister Tusk publicly warned that, based on information from allies, he expects a worsening of the situation in the Middle East in the coming days and weeks. This is the sharpest statement yet from the head of the Polish government regarding the conflict with Iran — a signal that Poland is preparing for further turbulence in the energy market and possible security consequences.
Nawrocki signed the law on Poles fighting in Ukraine. President Karol Nawrocki signed a law exempting Polish citizens who have participated in combat operations in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since April 2014 from criminal liability. Until now, Polish law prohibited citizens from serving in foreign armies without state consent — the new law closes this legal loophole for those who fought on Kyiv’s side.
Poland deports illegal immigrants from Ukraine. Polish services — the Police and Border Guard — carried out another wave of deportations this week of Ukrainian citizens illegally residing in Poland. Since the beginning of March, over ninety return orders have been issued. The deportees are returning to a country where mobilization is underway — which raises controversy both in Poland and among refugee rights organizations.
NYCFC 2:3 Inter Miami — Messi won in the Bronx. On Sunday, March 22, NYCFC led Inter Miami 2:1 at Yankee Stadium, but conceded two goals between the 61st and 74th minutes and lost 2:3. Lionel Messi played from the first minute; Luis Suárez sat the entire match on the bench. For Polish fans returning home on the G line after the match, it was an evening that reminded them why football can break your heart.
Polish diaspora accent after the Oscars. Although the gala itself took place on March 15, this week Polish and Polish diaspora media were still commenting on the Oscar for Maciek Szczerbowski — a Polish director who won the statuette for best animated short film “The Girl Who Cried Pearls”. This is further proof that the Polish animation school remains one of the most creative in the world.
ZUS online for the Polish diaspora in the USA. On Wednesday, March 25, the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York, the Ministry of Family, ZUS (Social Insurance Institution), and the Polish & Slavic Center organized a free webinar on the Polish-American social security agreement. ZUS experts explained how Poles living in America can apply for a pension from Poland — even for a few years of work before leaving. A topic that affects hundreds of thousands of people finally received a dedicated meeting.
What’s coming
Tomorrow, Sunday, March 29, 1:45 PM: “Passion and Resurrection” — a passion play by THEOS Theatre and Opera Society at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Greenpoint (607 Humboldt Street, Brooklyn). Kasia Drucker, Anna Kucay, D. Alan Jaymes. Free admission. Intention: world peace.
Easter — April 5. Polish parishes in New York, New Jersey, and Long Island are accepting orders for blessed food baskets (święconki) and traditional baked goods. Don’t wait until the last minute.
Dyngus Day / Wet Monday — April 6. Fifth Dyngus Parade in Greenpoint — starting at 5:30 PM from St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. Route through Humboldt, Engert, Nassau to McGolrick Park. Sausage, polka, water guns, and pussy willows. Organizers: THEOS, St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Konopnicka Polish School.
Author meeting — April 14, 6:00 PM: Prof. Anna Jaroszyńska-Kirchmann will present her book “American Polonia about itself. Sources for history 1608–2020” at the Józef Piłsudski Institute of America (138 Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn).
Exhibition “The Story of Poland in Posters” — until May 24 at the Gallery of the Polish Institute of Culture and Research in Orchard Lake, Michigan. One hundred thirty years of Polish posters: from Wyspiański to Olbiński.
Number of the week
PLN 8.69 — that’s how much a liter of diesel cost in Poland on Wednesday. It’s a record. Tusk lowered VAT from 23% to 8%, but drivers in Poland say it’s too little, too late. Poles in America, who remember Polish prices from a year ago, may not believe their own eyes.
Editorial Staff, Voice of Polish Diaspora in the USA
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