Rafał Brzoska, the founder and CEO of the delivery giant, Azałe, expressed his determination to collaborate with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk following Tusk’s bold proposal for deregulation during the "Polska. Rok przełomu" conference held at the Warsaw Stock Exchange on February 10, 2025. During this pivotal event, Tusk outlined his ambitious economic plan aimed at effecting substantive change within the country, aiming for over 650 billion PLN investment to stimulate growth.
At the core of Tusk's speech was the challenge directed at Brzoska: to transition from mere slogans to concrete actions to simplify the operating environment for businesses. "We need to move from slogans to concrete decisions. Deregulation is sine qua non for Poland's investment success," Tusk stated, emphasizing the need for actionable proposals from business leaders like Brzoska.
Brzoska responded affirmatively to Tusk's challenge, declaring, "I’m ready to take on the challenge." He acknowledged Tusk's invitation as more than just rhetorical; he viewed it as a serious call for dialogue and action. The CEO remarked on social media, stating, "The time for action has come. Enough of promises under the banner of 'deregulation.' The time has come for 'check it out.'" His words reflected both urgency and optimism about improving Poland’s competitive edge on the international stage.
Brzoska, who has established himself as a key player within the Polish business community through innovation, including the launch of self-service parcel lockers, took Tusk's words to heart. He indicated his intention to unify the business sector to provide concrete deregulation proposals to the government, remarking on the "chains of regulation" both from European and national levels, which he claimed stifle growth and competitiveness.
The business leader recognized the challenges posed by the current regulatory environment. He affirmed, "We cannot develop; others are overtaking us," instilling urgency for immediate measures. His plan involves rallying entrepreneurs from various sectors to devise actionable proposals collectively, which will then be presented to politicians who will need to choose between genuine support for the business community or remaining tethered to empty commitments.
Critics, such as MP Janusz Kowalski, responded to Brzoska's alignment with Tusk, cautioning him about the potential pitfalls of political collaboration. Kowalski tweeted, "You have great business intuition. But politically - not at all. Leveraging the declining and destructive state of Tusk is seriously flawed investment." This encapsulates the mixed reception Brzoska's decision has received within the political community, highlighting the polarized nature of current Polish political discourse.
Public sentiment, as captured through social media, ran the gamut from skepticism to support. Many users were vocal about their apprehensions surrounding Tusk's historical leadership style and his intentions, with one user provocatively stating, "Officially announcing 2025 as the year of oligarchy." Another chimed in, expressing doubts about whether Brzoska would be effective, asking rhetorically if he would hire someone from Tusk’s administration.
Despite the mixed reviews, Brzoska remains resolute. He is committed to presenting well-defined proposals to the government and stressed the necessity for political support. "This is the time to offer real backing for business rather than staying with unfounded declarations," he stated, hinting at the potential for collaboration across political lines.
Looking back at his successful establishment of Azałe, which now operates both across Poland and internationally, Brzoska's business insights are rooted deeply within his experiences - including the founding of the Rafał Brzoska Foundation which supports young talents. He stands out as one who has not only succeeded himself but seeks to leverage his success for broader economic development throughout Poland.
It is clear, as Tusk and Brzoska engage forward, their dialogues will shape the narrative around Poland’s economic restructuring, paving the way for potential shifts within the regulatory framework. Both parties recognize the need for innovation and responsiveness to the challenges the Polish economy currently faces.
With their collaborative spirit, they may just spearhead the change needed to revitalize Poland's place within Europe and beyond, focusing on immediate and substantial advancements rather than mere promises.