Here are PiS's proposals for Silesia: "Coal, strengthening the metropolis, and Polish identity."

Attachment to coal and mining, reform and strengthening of the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis, Polish identity – these are the proposals for Silesia resulting from discussions about the region during the two-day Law and Justice program convention in Katowice.

As part of the PiS program convention under the slogan "Thinking Poland" held on Friday and Saturday at the International Congress Centre, several discussions about Silesia took place, focusing on cities, industry, transport, science and the Polishness of the region.

PiS politicians repeatedly emphasized their commitment to hard coal during both days of the convention. This was demonstrated, among others, by MP Grzegorz Matusiak, who arrived at the convention center in a miner's uniform.

"I am a great fan of Polish coal," MEP Janusz Kowalski told PAP. He emphasized that the mining industry should not be liquidated, but modernized into a "modern sector of the Polish economy."

– Today we need to return to common sense, put on the brakes and stop pointlessly spending billions of zlotys on energy transformation, which only leads to an increase in energy prices – said Kowalski.

MP Marek Wesoły stressed that it is necessary to bring about a "renaissance" of Silesian industry – including by taking care of large plants, protecting coal mines and power plants from closure, introducing modern technologies and abandoning the "green ideology" promoted by the EU.

In turn, MP Jarosław Wieczorek pointed out that Silesian industry should leverage its experience with innovative medical technologies and emerging space technologies . "These are the cutting-edge technologies that are absolutely essential," he emphasized. He added that Silesian industry could also utilize drone technologies.

During the discussion on Silesia, the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis was repeatedly mentioned. Law and Justice (PiS) politicians agreed that it should be reformed. MP Marek Wójcik asked about the GZM's successes to date, which he had failed to recognize. He announced that after PiS returns to power, it would be audited. In his opinion, the metropolis should coordinate activities related to the region's transformation, which it is failing to do.

The metropolitan area's scope of authority was defined in a law passed during the PiS government. The GZM authorities have repeatedly emphasized that it should be expanded. MP Jerzy Polaczek admitted that an analysis of the metropolitan area's operation is necessary. MP Michał Woś assessed that in its current form, the GZM is "neither a dog nor an otter."

Jerzy Polaczek predicted that in a few years, if the Central Communication Port (CPK) is not implemented, Katowice Airport could become the second most important airport in Poland after Warsaw. He emphasized that to achieve this, the planned development of the regional airport should be ensured.

Among the key transport investments in Silesia, PiS politicians mentioned the S11 road, north-south and east-west railway connections within the Metropolitan Railway, railway spokes within the CPK, and the Sławków Euroterminal, which is located at the junction of the westernmost broad-gauge railway line (1520 mm) and the standard-gauge line (1435 mm).

Marek Wójcik said he once presented a "very influential person" in Warsaw with the idea of ​​building a monorail instead of the metro to improve the quality of public transport in Silesia. He admitted that he found little understanding for the idea.

During the discussion "The Polishness of Silesia," speakers emphasized its centuries-long ties to Poland. They referenced events from the 14th and 17th centuries and cited the words of prominent Polish activists in the history of Upper Silesia – Wojciech Korfanty and Karol Miarka.

"History is the facts that are available to us today. Then we interpret them in some way. We here support the thesis that the Polishness of Silesia is what is absolutely factual (...) Of course, there are also people in the public sphere who try to dispute this (...). I feel connected to Silesia, to the dialect, but the Polish one absolutely takes precedence," said MP Andrzej Gawron.

Participants in the discussion criticized attempts to unify "Ślonski godka" and recognize it as a regional language, a move vetoed by President Andrzej Duda in 2024. They argued that this could result in the loss of Silesian diversity and that the topic is being exploited for political purposes.

The two-day PiS program convention included three plenary sessions – two speeches by party chairman Jarosław Kaczyński and a discussion on NATO's eastern flank. The number of panelists was estimated at approximately 600, and the number of guests at several thousand. The convention aimed to begin work on a new party program before the 2027 parliamentary elections. (PAP)

Pato/ Mick/