Nationalist Polish president proposes referendum on EU Green Deal

Poland’s nationalist and eurosceptic president on Thursday submitted a motion to hold a referendum on EU climate policy, citing the high cost of living in Europe’s largest coal-reliant country.

The centrist ruling coalition criticised the move, with one MP referring to it as “absurd”.

“The Green Deal and the ETS (Emissions Trading System) mean higher energy prices, a decline in the competitiveness of the economy, and the collapse of agricultural production,” President Karol Nawrocki said on X.

The president’s referendum would ask Poles: “Are you in favour of implementing a climate policy that has led to an increase in the cost of living for citizens, and in energy prices, and the costs of conducting business and agricultural activity?”

Ever-wary of Brussels, Nawrocki promised ahead of last year’s presidential elections that he would support Poland’s coal industry, lower energy prices, and withdraw from the ETS.

The government argues that while it should be “revised”, the ETS is part of European law.

The Polish Constitution grants the president the right to order a referendum.

However, it must be confirmed by a majority of the Polish Senate – the higher body of parliament, which is currently controlled by Poland’s pro-European governing coalition.

“This proposal will land where it belongs – in the trash,” deputy speaker of the Senate of the Left party Magdalena Biejat wrote on X following the president’s announcement.

“It’s the drought and addiction to coal and oil that drive up food and electricity prices,” she added, “not the EU”.

In 2025, Poland relied on coal for nearly 51 percent of its electricity production, by far the highest proportion in the EU.

Anna Maria Zukowska of the New Left party later called the president’s move “absurd” and an “attempt to politicize the very concept of a referendum”.

“Consent to a referendum will be an expression of respect for the voice of the citizens,” Nawrocki said, warning that a refusal “would also be a decision that the citizens will evaluate”.

Should the referendum be confirmed, it will be held within 90 days.

It is only considered binding if over 50 percent of eligible voters participate.

(cm)