Senate of Poland has blocked President Karol Nawrocki’s proposal to hold a nationwide referendum on European Union climate policies, delivering a major setback to one of his most prominent political initiatives.
The Senate voted decisively against the proposal, preventing Nawrocki from organizing the referendum planned for Sept. 27. Under Polish law, presidential referendums require Senate approval before proceeding.
The proposed vote would have asked citizens whether they supported the implementation of EU climate policies that, according to the wording, contributed to rising living expenses, energy prices, and higher business and agricultural costs.
Nawrocki defended the initiative by arguing that it was not an attack on environmental protection or Poland’s EU membership. Instead, he said the referendum aimed to give Polish citizens a direct voice regarding the pace, financial burden, and scope of the country’s energy transition.
The president also criticized major European climate measures such as the EU Green Deal and the Emissions Trading System, claiming they reduce economic competitiveness and place excessive pressure on households and industries.
However, lawmakers aligned with Prime Minister Donald Tusk argued that the referendum question was politically biased and unsuitable for a neutral democratic process. The dispute has become part of a wider political struggle over Poland’s future direction inside the European Union.
Poland remains among Europe’s most carbon-intensive economies, with coal continuing to supply a significant share of electricity generation and home heating. At the same time, the country faces increasing pressure to modernize its energy sector while protecting businesses and consumers from rising costs.
For Nawrocki and political allies connected to Jarosław Kaczyński, opposition to EU climate measures has evolved into a broader campaign against what they view as growing economic pressure from Brussels.
Although the referendum proposal has been halted for now, the battle over Poland’s climate strategy, coal dependency, and energy transformation is expected to remain a defining political issue in the years ahead.
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