The construction of hypermarkets in Poland will be restricted by law

Warsaw - Polish President Lech Kaczyński today signed a law restricting the construction of large commercial complexes. This was reported by the president's press office. According to the new regulations, which will come into effect in two months, a permit from both the municipality and the regional council will be required for the construction of a store with a sales area larger than 2,000 square meters. The law has been criticized by investors and the association of private employers.
    The author of the law, which was approved by lawmakers in May, is the Self-Defense movement, whose further participation in the government is now uncertain. To construct a store, pharmacy, car dealership, or furniture store with a sales area between 400 and 2,000 square meters, the investor must obtain a permit from the municipality. If someone wants to build a smaller shopping center, no such permit will be required.
    The controversial law has been criticized by traders, employers, and investors. It is said to limit investments in the country, hinder the construction of complexes with stores and services, and increase unemployment. According to the Senate's legislative committee, the proposal to limit constructions ignores European Union regulations. The law has also been criticized by the Office for European Integration, the Polish antimonopoly office, and the Polish association of private employers. The latter now wants it to be reviewed by the Constitutional Court. Employers claim that the law presents yet another bureaucratic obstacle for them.
    A similar proposal was presented by the Self-Defense movement a year ago, but at that time it did not gain the support of a majority of lawmakers. The author of the proposal is Self-Defense MP Waldemar Nowakowski, a co-founder of one of the largest retail chains in the country, the Lewiatan company.