Poland needs to reduce the use of coal but the European Union should help with the transition, the European Commission's First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said on Monday (May 6).
The transition away from coal, a major employer in southern Poland, is a divisive issue in central Europe's largest economy. Lawmakers from the ruling Law and Justice party have said steps to remove it would lead to higher energy bills for households.
Speaking at the Association of Polish Trade Unions, Timmermans said that a transition that works for Polish workers was needed and the European Union should come up with a solid plan to do so.
Following a debate with former Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski and former Polish Prime Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, Timmermans was presented with a cake in honour of his birthday.
Poland has some of the worst air pollution in Europe and the leader of the largest opposition party has said the country should eliminate the use of coal for heating households within 10 years.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters