Joint Senate committees have formally recommended the rejection of President Karol Nawrocki’s request for a national referendum on EU climate policy, citing substantive defects and significant projected implementation costs.
Proposed Referendum on EU Climate Policy
In early May, President Karol Nawrocki submitted a motion to the Senate to hold a referendum on September 27 regarding European Union climate policy. The proposed ballot question asked whether citizens support climate policies that have led to increased costs for living, energy, business, and agriculture.
Committees Cite Logical and Constitutional Concerns
Senator Stanisław Gawłowski, the rapporteur for the joint committees, confirmed that the bodies overseeing European Union affairs, national economy, innovation, infrastructure, climate, and agriculture recommended against the proposal. Experts, including Professor Barbara Wieliczko, noted that the question is logically inconsistent as it fails to clarify the future consequences of stopping such policies.
Financial and Legal Obstacles
Professor Marek Chmaj, a constitutional scholar, advised the Senate to reject the proposal due to substantive legal flaws. Furthermore, the National Electoral Commission estimates the cost of holding the referendum would reach 374.9 million PLN.
Debate Over Budgetary Impact
Senator Gawłowski noted that while 94 billion PLN in revenue was generated from the ETS system between 2013 and 2023, the Supreme Audit Office reports only 1.3 percent was directed toward direct emission reduction. He argued that regardless of the referendum’s outcome, the ambiguous nature of the question offers no actionable path for the government or parliament.