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Polish voters want a larger army - but don't necessarily want to pay for it

27.10.2022 22:30
A United Surveys opinion poll published today in "Gazeta Prawna" shows that Poles are glad the government is expanding the military - but are less happy about the costs involved.
Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak with Polish soldiers at the Polish-Belarusian border
Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak with Polish soldiers at the Polish-Belarusian borderTwitter/@MON_GOV_PL

A survey published in Thursday's "Gazeta Prawna", carried out by United Surveys, suggests that Polish people are content with the government's expansion of the military amid the war in Ukraine.

According to the survey:

  • Over 60% of Poles have a positive opinion of the government's policy of increasing the total number of Polish soldiers to 300 000
  • Among supporters of the ruling coalition, the figure rises to 4 out of every 5
  • Even among supporters of the opposition, more than 50% support the government in this area

However, the survey suggests Polish society is less ready for the government to make cuts in other areas to finance the military expansion:

  • 4 out of 5 PiS voters believe the government should continue with its plans "even if this means making cuts" in other areas of the budget or getting further into debt
  • 3 out of 5 opposition voters are against expanding the military where this has negative financial consequences
  • Criticism of the government's plans is higher among the educated
  • Criticism of government debts to finance the military is strongest amongst those living in the country

According to another survey carried out in June for TVN, by far the most important issue for Polish voters is getting inflation under control, with national security a distant second:

  • 43% of those surveyed said that inflation was the most important issue when choosing a political party
  • 22% said that "military security" was the most important issue
  • 14% said that social benefits were the most important issue
  • 9% said that abortion was the most important issue

Sources: PAP, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna, tvn24

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