News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]


Ultimately the guy at the top is responsible for the companys bottom line. If profits are increased, he deserves an increase. If we are talking even just ten of millions increases, you have to reward him with a substantial increase or he will leave and work for the competition. Then you have the double whammy of having to choose a new CEO who is an unknown quantity (he may have sector experience but youve just seen your highly successful CEO leave, so relatively speaking its unknown) while your previous CEO who you didnt want to reward has gone to the competition and is likely to improve them which will eat into your profits next year.

Real Estate / Building a house in Poland need advice from anyone that has built [100]

Yes a lot of the time when Poles hear "foreigner" then they double the price. They will then ring back and reduce it when you tell them you are hiring the competition. Most of these small builders live from one job to the next, so you can always negotiate a good price. Just dont pay in advance unless relationships are long and well cemented. Oh and watch for alcohol on the building site, its the most important element!

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

People were queuing for fresh fruit all day. The country has come a long way very quickly. You have to expect bumps along the way. Being poor with no future and staying poor with no future is now more of an option than before. Still a long way off Wedtern developed standards but that is to be expected for a story of expansion that really only started since the fall of communism. Just have to be careful not to isolate those that pull the strings. Poland is very good at working the EU system, it should continue to do so and do what is asked (usually within reason) or they will turn off the taps as they did for Greece.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

Many developed countries have problems getting fair taxes from global giants. Its a compromise and something thats done over time. But while companies are making money in Poland they wont want to leave and thats the key to negotiations. Capitalism isnt perfect but its better than other realistic options. Poland has a huge pension deficit and and Poles little savings, so huge internal investment is impossible.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

Poland needs external investment to reach its goals of growth and expansion of wealth for Poles as a whole. Some will be left behind but the alternative where everyone has and is equal, is communism and that only works when the world doesnt keep tabs on the treasury's bottom line - something that was possible in the 70's/80's but not in this age.

With the EU you know where you stand. You toe the line, you get the cash - EU does as it says it will. There has been a huge increase in foreign ownership of Polish goverment bonds. This is a sign of trust in the approach Poland has taken over the last few years. Causing arguments and backing away from the EU will see this investment reverse and neither Russia nor China will pick up the tab as they have problems of their own and of course have a less ethical approach to foreign investment.

Life / Living like a local in Poland - What does it even mean? [30]

You have to watch the sugar/fat/salt contents at the cheaper shops such as biedronka (especially kids drinks), but to be honest now that lidl aldi and co have moved in biedronka isnt as cheap as what it once was. The meat is much better than it used to be as there are no longer local butchers but its sourced wholesale.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

Most rational people will be prepared to give every new government a chance but PIS have to try to build relations with europe. Whatever PO did or did not do, they tried to stay on side with europe. EU money is vital for Poland's growth. Poland is very good at acquiring and spending EU money and without it growth will be much slower if at all. So there is no reason to isolate europe and make Poland unfriendly to investors as it can only harm the country's development.

USA, Canada / Polish women are not to be trusted! They are out to get American men just for money. [62]

I call it "polepszyc swoje stanowisko" In english, improving their station. My wife laughs but admits its mostly true these days especially in the smaller towns such as Jelenia Gora. I suppose if a guy wants a girl with nice tits, similarly the girl looks for a guy that can finance her needs. Don't see anything wrong with it as long as both sides understand the situation, but often one side finds out to their cost.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

Probably both sides as bad as each other but PO always intended to keep up relations with Europe. EU money and investment is vital for Poland to growth and eventually dig itself out of pensions blackhole. Otherwise debt to GDP is ok, but still needs help to expand and remove the pensions threat. Poles dont have/dont want to invest, so money must come from abroad. Say thanks a few times, kiss a few ears, but you'll get the funds flows and that's what is important in the long run. Backing away from the EU must mean stronger ties with Russia as Poland cannot go it alone. Better the EU as more predictable.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

Most average Joes will always blame the current government for their woes so its likely PIS only gets one term, certainly while its one person one vote. Maybe 12-18 months before the end of their term you'll get some large speculative flows into the country/currency. While the stockmarket has largely priced in a lot of the woes on an isolated basis, the zloty might see 6.5gbp 4.5-4.75 eur before its fortunes turn. But as I say if the government does away with the uncertainty and quickly implements its anti business ideas, investment flows will recover quicker.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

A weak currency should in theory boost investment as it makes things cheaper for foreigners but people need to know where they stand before they will commit. If they want to cut the leg off, better to do it soon rather than debate and do it years later. Not much official talk from government but you'd expect it towards eur 4.50 as it will start to hurt a lot by then.