Polish President Karol Nawrocki is set to veto new bills on taxes, cryptocurrency, and animal welfare, sparking debate ahead of parliamentary voting later this week.
Upcoming Presidential Vetos
On Thursday, Law and Justice lawmakers were to meet with representatives of President Karol Nawrocki’s office to discuss bills approved by the parliamentary majority, according to Wirtualna Polska. Nawrocki intends to veto them. The bills would raise two taxes: the excise on alcohol and the sugar tax. Chief of the president’s office Zbigniew Bogucki cited the president’s recent electoral promises, noting that if he says he will not sign a bill that raises taxes, he will not sign it. This stance was also made by the candidate during an interview with Sławomir Mentzen of the Confederation.
Threat to Tax‑Hike Bills
The proposed tax raises have drawn criticism from Confederation leaders and some PiS politicians. Janusz Kowalski has called the excise and sugar tax “an attack on farmers,” and on X he warned that “Tusk will drop sharply in polls, while the right will rise.” Finance Minister Andrzej Domański condemned the president’s veto of tightening family foundation rules, arguing that the so‑called “deal with Poles” was meant to support entrepreneurship, not to tolerate loopholes that allow tax evasion. He cited taxes that fund the army, police, schools, and key investments, calling the situation shameful.
Party Backing and Political Dynamics
The Confederation party could be satisfied with recent government decisions because they align with its program line, the portal assessed. The party’s leaders and associated circles appear to have influenced Nawrocki, along with some PiS members. Political reactions have ranged from support for the president’s stance on sugar tax to concerns over the implications for farmers.
Veto of the Animal‑Protection “Chain” Law
President Nawrocki also vetoed the so‑called “chain law,” which aimed at animal protection. In a recording posted on X he explained that while the law’s intention was proper, its provisions could worsen the situation for animals instead of improving it. He also announced that he had signed a law banning fur farming. The new regulations provide compensation for breeders who will stop operations early, support and severance for employees, and an eight‑year transition period.
Parliamentary Vote on Veto Rejection
Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty said the Sejm will vote on rejecting the presidential veto. TVN24 reporter Anna Adamek interviewed Law and Justice lawmakers in the Sejm, some of whom supported the chain law’s provisions. Ryszard Terlecki announced that the Law and Justice Club would abstain from voting on Nawrocki’s veto, meaning the veto would remain in place.
