Ombudsman criticizes new state land bill

Government ombudsman Adam Bodnar sent a letter to Prime Minister Beata Szydło this week, in which he shared his concerns about the upcoming state-owned land sale bill. The measure calls for the freezing of sales of most land owned by the State Treasury for the next five years. The government justifies this measure by saying it will prevent an influx of foreigners coming in and buying land, after a 12 year protection period expires on May 1. Until 2021, farms owned by the State Treasury may only be leased to suitors, with no actual sale permitted to take place. Bodnar called this measure "unconstitutional" as it takes away citizen's rights of what to do with their property.