The proposed question read: “Are you in favor of Poland implementing the European Union’s climate policy?” Thirty‑two senators voted in favor, 51 opposed, and one abstained. This was the second presidential motion on the issue rejected by the Senate.
Civic Coalition politicians said the rejection was justified, arguing that the president’s initiative had a political character. The opposition accused the ruling majority of denying Poles the chance to express views on an important matter.
Law and Justice (PiS) Vice President Przemysław Czarnek stated that the Senate’s decision “deprived Poles of their right to express views on one of the most important issues for the future of the country.” He said PiS continues to support Poland’s withdrawal from the EU ETS, which “raises the cost of energy production by up to 50 percent.” Czarnek announced on Platform X that he would submit a bill to withdraw Poland from the ETS.
Paweł Jabłoński, an MP from the Development Plus association, told the Polish Press Agency (PAP) that the rejection “shows that the ruling majority does not want to hand this decision to citizens.” He said the earlier argument that the question was biased no longer applied, as the president changed it to a simple yes‑or‑no format. “Yet the Senate still does not want people to have a say,” he added. He argued that the decision shows “no willingness to address negative effects of the EU’s climate policy,” calling it “bad news for Poland and democracy.”
Anita Kucharska‑Dziedzic, vice‑chair of the Left parliamentary group, told PAP that a referendum on EU climate policy “makes no sense,” as the policy is undergoing major restructuring. She said the initiative “creates an unnecessary conflict within society” and serves “a political agenda aimed at questioning the European Union.”
Civic Coalition MP Witold Zembaczyński said the president was “shoveling sand against the tide.” He argued that the right wing “first agreed to climate solutions and now wants to ask society about them,” calling the approach “nonsense.” He said the president “should not feign surprise” at the Senate’s decision, as “he himself constantly torpedoes issues important to the government.”
The first motion to hold a referendum was submitted earlier this year. The Senate Committee on Human Rights, the Rule of Law and Petitions, along with the Senate majority, raised formal and legal objections. They pointed to imprecise wording and a suggestive tone in the proposed questions. The motion was rejected in a plenary vote. The earlier question read: “Are you in favor of implementing climate policy, which has led to an increase in the cost of living, energy prices and the cost of running business and agricultural activity?”
(pu)
Source: Interia Biznes