A recent survey shows 46.6% of Poles support reinstating conscription, while 34.2% oppose, according to data collected by SW Research.
Conscription’s Background
Conscription was suspended on January 1, 2010, after former Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the army should be smaller, professional, modern, and better equipped.
Survey Findings
According to a poll by SW Research, 46.6 % of respondents favor reinstating conscription, 34.2 % oppose, and 19.3 % hold no opinion. The sample comprised 800 internet users over 18 years old. Male respondents are more likely to support the draft (50.3 %) than females (43 %).
Age‑Based Opinions
Among those under 24, 52.8 % oppose conscription while 25.2 % support it (22.1 % undecided). In the 25‑34 age group, 44.6 % are against and 34.8 % in favor (20.6 % no opinion). For ages 35‑49, 52.4 % support and 31.2 % oppose (16.4 % undecided). Similar patterns were observed among respondents over 50.
Political Perspective
Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz said there is no current need to reactivate compulsory service, noting that conscription remains suspended but theoretically possible. He cited about 54,000 people engaged in various forms of military training this year: 35,000 in voluntary service, 10,000 in territorial service, and roughly 10,000 participants in the “Wakacje z wojskiem” program. A defence24 article noted the Polish Armed Forces have over 210,000 professional soldiers, volunteers, and territorial service members.
