Karpacz Economic Forum Highlights Poland's Growth, Political Divide and V4 Challenges
The 35th Karpacz Economic Forum gathered over 6,500 delegates to discuss Poland's strong GDP growth, budget deficits and the future of Visegrád Group cooperation.
The three-day Karpacz Economic Forum attracted over 6,500 participants, including ministers, opposition figures, local officials and foreign delegates, and hosted more than 500 debates across eight thematic tracks. Polish officials highlighted robust economic performance, with the European Commission forecasting 3.5% GDP growth for 2026, yet also flagged a 6.5% budget deficit and mounting public debt. Opinions diverged, with some viewing the growth as evidence of a successful convergence model and others emphasizing emerging structural challenges.
High-profile speakers such as former prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Deputy Speaker Krzysztof Bosak drew strong audience reactions, while the Person of the Year award went to Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak. Discussions on Visegrád Group cohesion underscored the need for cooperation beyond partisan lines, and Hungarian participants highlighted the lack of progress on a modern Budapest-Warsaw rail corridor, noting recent Hungarian interest in reviving the project.
