New Year’s Message from President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda

Dear Compatriots, Ladies and Gentlemen!

The outgoing year 2021 has posed many challenges for us.

It was yet another year of our struggle with the coronavirus pandemic which gravely affected our everyday life and changed our lifestyle, but most of all, the pandemic which weighed heavily on people’s health here in Poland and took the toll of lives of so many lives. I wish to express my profound sympathy to those bereaved in the pandemic.

In Poland, as in many other European countries, there are still new infections. And still many people end up in hospitals. From the bottom of my heart, I thank the thousands of doctors, nurses and paramedics who are also at this moment fighting for the health and life of many of our compatriots. Thank you for your enormous effort and dedication.

At the same time, I would like to reiterate my appeal to everyone who has not yet done so: let us get vaccinated! The Polish state has provided vaccines for everyone who wants to benefit from this opportunity. Everybody can be vaccinated with the first, second and now also with the third booster dose. We should take advantage of this opportune occasion to protect our own life and health, but also the health of others. It is up to us how quickly we defeat the pandemic.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

The coronavirus pandemic poses also an immense challenge to our economy. Good decisions and swift measures helped us to preserve jobs: the unemployment level is in Poland at its lowest since a long time. Polish economy re–bounced quickly and recovered its dynamics. We continue with large–scale infrastructure projects. This is good news.

But the long–term effects of a pandemic include rising inflation. The entire world is struggling with an unprecedented for many years increase in prices. This is also one of the main preoccupations of Polish families. That is why I signed the law which reduced excise duty on electricity and fuels, and I expect the government and the parliament to take further actions to effectively protect the wallets of the Polish people.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Over the past year, Poland has become the target of a hybrid attack directed by the regime of Alexander Lukashenko. Thanks to our quick and decisive reaction, but first and foremost thanks to the dedication of thousands of Border Guard officers, soldiers, policemen and members of other services, including firefighters, we have passed the test as a state and as citizens. We showed our determination in defending our border with Belarus and we proved that we can effectively take care of our security, but also of the security of the European community.

We are proud of our officers and soldiers, who proved how much it means to them to wear the Polish uniform. Let us remember that also on this New Year’s Eve many of them are guarding our borders.

Our security is closely related to the security of countries in our region and all of Europe. In recent weeks, I have personally spoken with many world leaders. I have always encountered complete understanding and full appreciation for our actions. Poland is a reliable partner in the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance.

Dear Compatriots, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The forthcoming year 2022 will certainly be likewise full of challenges. But it is my profound belief that we will come to grips with them. Not once have we proved as Poland and Polish people that we can rise to even greatest challenges.

On this unique day I wish to extend to you my heartfelt wishes: despite different mindsets and things that divide us, despite high emotions, may we still show our ability to talk to one another, to shake hands with each other, to smile and smile back.

Let us show kindness and mutual understanding. Let us recall that what unites us, the Polish people, is more enduring and stronger than what divides us.

A Happy New Year to you all!