Polish President Karol Nawrocki Calls for Referendum to Reject EU Green Deal

Poland’s president, Karol Nawrocki, announced plans to hold a national referendum in September on whether to reject the European Union’s Green Deal and its carbon‑trading system. In a post on X, Nawrawski argued that the Green Deal has driven up energy costs, reduced economic competitiveness and threatened agricultural production, and he wants voters to decide on the climate policy that has "increased the cost of living, energy prices and the cost of financial and farming activities."

The proposal has sparked sharp criticism from the pro‑European coalition government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, which must still endorse the referendum in the Senate despite the president’s constitutional authority to call it. Senators, including left‑wing member Magda Bieczad, warned that the move would “end up in the trash” and could exacerbate food and electricity price hikes caused by Poland’s reliance on coal.

Poland remains heavily dependent on coal, accounting for about 52.6% of its energy mix in 2025, even as the Tusk government pursues reforms to accelerate renewable and nuclear power development, including plans for two large nuclear plants. The referendum aligns with Nawrocki’s 2025 election platform, which calls for abandoning the Green Deal, lowering energy prices and boosting domestic coal production.