The Polish Senate rejected President Karol Nawrocki’s proposal for a referendum on continuing EU climate protection measures, which he argues are excessively costly and detrimental to citizens’ living standards. Senators from the ruling coalition dismissed the referendum as a political stunt, with concerns that the proposed questions implied a biased response.
Nawrocki, a conservative Eurosceptic, intended to let voters decide the pace and cost of climate change policies, emphasizing that his initiative wasn’t against environmental protection or EU membership. Despite Poland’s constitutional provision for presidential referenda, the Senate’s pro-EU majority deemed the proposal as an attempt to destabilize the government.
Tensions around climate policy have resurfaced, with the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party advocating for Poland’s exit from the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), claiming it burdens Polish citizens financially. The government, however, argues compliance with ETS is essential to avoid heavy fines and is negotiating for relaxed climate measures.
While EU climate policies do influence electricity prices in Poland, analysts note that other factors, such as high mining costs and substantial taxes, contribute significantly to the country’s energy expenses. Poland faces one of the highest electricity prices in the EU, prompting calls from various stakeholders for a reassessment of climate-related strategies.
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