Polish MPs plan to overturn President Nawrocki’s veto on the contested chain‑law, while the ruling coalition prepares a substitute bill and another presidential draft awaits Parliament.
MPs Will Try to Overturn President’s Veto
On Wednesday, governing‑coalition MPs are slated to launch a motion to reject President Karol Nawrocki’s veto on the so‑called chain‑law. The move faces slim odds, as PiS MPs are expected to vote in favour of the rejection, thereby blocking the effort. Early December saw many PiS lawmakers, including Jarosław Kaczyński, announce their opposition to the draft, and RMF FM reports that coalition leaders intend to submit an alternative bill.
Two Drafts: Parliamentary and Presidential
Once the veto debate concludes, President Nawrocki’s draft will enter a public consultation phase, after which both it and the coalition’s proposal will be forwarded to the Sejm committee for further work. Parliamentary deputy Karolina Piekarska noted that Nawrocki’s version aligns 90 % with the coalition’s, differing mainly in enclosure size and the absence of a leash‑requirement clause. She added that the coalition aims to gather signatures and submit its own draft in the next session.
Nawrocki Justifies Veto
In December, Nawrocki publicly explained his veto on X, arguing that while the protection‑of‑animals objective was sound, the bill’s provisions could worsen animal welfare. He criticized the proposed enclosure standards as unrealistic and said the law would burden farmers, breeders and households. He also pledged to present his own project focused on leash‑regulation, seeking to “release dogs from chains.” The Sejm passed the amendment in late September with 280 votes in favour, 105 against and 30 abstentions; 49 PiS MPs, among them Kaczyński, voted for it.