Recent polling conducted for rp.pl by SW Research reveals that a significant majority of respondents favor a direct dialogue between the government led by Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda on proposed reforms to Poland’s justice system. The core question posed to participants was whether the Tusk administration should engage in discussions with the president about the changes it intends to pursue within the judiciary.
According to the survey results, 67.2 percent of respondents supported government-dialogue with the presidency, while 16 percent opposed such engagement and 16.8 percent did not express a clear opinion.
Proponents of dialogue – age group and education
Support for dialogue clustered strongly among the 35 to 49 age group, where 71.7 percent endorsed the idea of a discussion. In contrast, among respondents aged up to 24, 60.7 percent favored pursuing a dialogue with the president as a channel for considering judicial changes.
Education level correlated with the likelihood of backing dialogue. Among those with primary or lower secondary education, 46.6 percent supported dialogue, whereas among individuals with higher education, 68.5 percent indicated support for dialogue. The pattern suggests that higher educational attainment aligns with greater openness to engaging presidential channels when discussing judicial reform proposals.
The survey was conducted by SW Research on February 6–7, 2024, using participants from the SW Panel online community. The sample consisted of 800 internet users aged 18 and over. To ensure representativeness, the data were weighted to reflect the demographic structure of the adult Polish population in key characteristics related to the study topic. Weighting took socio-demographic factors into account to better align the sample with the broader population.
For readers seeking broader context, the survey results align with ongoing public discourse around judicial reform and the role of presidential input in shaping legislative changes. The data provide a snapshot of public sentiment at a specific point in time, illustrating how different age groups and education levels respond to the notion of presidential dialogue in the policy process. The findings underscore a general expectation among many respondents that dialogue between the executive branch and the presidency can serve as a constructive step when addressing sensitive legal changes. This perspective resonates with debates about governance and the mechanisms by which major reforms are discussed and refined before implementation.
Consultations and dialogue are frequently cited in comparative political discussions as means to build consensus, reduce uncertainty, and improve the legitimacy of legal reforms. In the Polish context, proponents argue that inclusive discussion between the government and the president may help clarify intentions, address concerns from various stakeholders, and enhance public trust in the reform process. Critics, however, caution that dialogue should not replace transparent decision-making or clear legislative scrutiny. The balance between dialogue and decisive governance remains a central feature of the public conversation surrounding Poland’s justice policy agenda.
In interpreting the implications of the SW Research findings, scholars and policymakers may note that demographic variables play a meaningful role in shaping attitudes toward executive-presidential dialogue. The observed divergence by age and education suggests that information access, civic engagement, and confidence in institutions could influence how different groups perceive the benefits of early, open discussions about judicial changes. As the public debate evolves, ongoing polling will likely continue to track shifts in opinion and the perceived effectiveness of dialogue as a tool for governance within Poland’s political landscape.
Notes: The data reflect a moment in time and should be considered in light of the broader political environment, media framing, and the evolving policy proposals under discussion. The cited figures come from the SW Research sample as reported by rp.pl, with methodological details described above to ensure transparency in the survey process.