Public finance reform is next big step

Article forms the lead and overview feature in the FT: Special Report 'Investing in Poland 2011'. Donald Tusk’s Civic Platform Party won a strong mandate in the autumn 2011 elections. Will the government now tackle thorny health and social security problems?

Other features include:

+ Energy: Shale could help break Russia’s grip on gas
A nascent industry with huge reserves might bring security to the country and region, says Adam Easton.

+ Economy: Less room for manoeuvre than in 2008
The deficit has grown from 1.9 per cent in 2007 to 7.9 per cent, reports Neil Buckley.

+ Euro 2012: Ugly aspects of the beautiful game keep both fans and business away
The football contest has brought impressive infrastructure but corruption and hooligans need to be tackled, explains Jan Cienski

+ Banking: Record earnings may lead to shake-up
Parental stresses could see a wave of disposals by foreign owners to boost balance sheets, writes Neil Buckley.

+ Outsourcing: Choice of secondary cities makes country attractive
Polish labour costs are significantly higher than in India, but the country’s other advantages make it appealing, writes Jan Cienski.

+ Samsung: Proud tradition of maths proves a strong draw
Kamil Tchorek looks at why the Korean electronics company’s Warsaw research centre has been such a success

+ Grzegorz Hajdarowicz: Press owner puts his faith in new media
Kamil Tchorek talks to the buyer of the top conservative title

+ Real estate: Investors seek safety of commercial property
Prime industrial yields are a juicy 8 per cent but there is a glut of residential space, writes Jan Cienski

+ Agriculture: EU funding helps secure a worthwhile harvest
Modernisation and ecological programmes have contributed to a revival of rural areas, says Jan Cienski.

+ Luxury: Polish taste for the high life grows
Warsaw is undergoing rapid change as its inhabitants are getting richer, writes Adam Easton.

ESO: Background information: Polish parliamentary election, 2011 http://www.europeansources.info/record/polish-parliamentary-election-2011/

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