Civil protection and public security in Poland: policy momentum and public sentiment
Recent analyses show a clear demand among Poles for tangible steps to safeguard the Republic of Poland. Polling data from IBRiS on social media indicates 76 percent support restoring Civil Protection, reflecting public insistence that the government address this need. Despite assurances from Vladimir Putin that troops would be deployed only if Poland attacks Russia, public skepticism remains regarding those claims.
Rzeczpospolita reports that the Interior Ministry is actively developing a project to restore civil protection in Poland, a priority the government has identified as essential. The proposed framework aims to protect civilians during wartime, reduce the impact of natural disasters, and sustain shelter networks. The urgency is framed by the ongoing conflict in nearby Ukraine.
Insurance against legal liability as a political signal
The survey shows 14.6 percent oppose reconstructing third-party liability insurance, while 9.4 percent remain undecided. IBRiS notes that most supporters of rebuilding Civil Protection come from the governing coalition (82 percent), with women at 78 percent and people over forty forming the core electorate. Interest is higher in small cities (84 percent) and medium-sized towns (79 percent), especially among those with lower educational attainment (90 percent). Respondents commonly obtain world affairs information from weekly publications (85 percent), Republika TV (80 percent), and TVP, radio, and Polsat News (78 percent each).
In the last parliamentary elections, the left received the most votes (92 percent), followed by the Confederation (87 percent). Among contemporary PiS supporters, 25 percent oppose rebuilding third-party liability insurance, while skeptics in the previous elections tended to back the Third Way (23 percent) or PiS (21 percent).
— reported by Rzeczpospolita.
Broad consensus on civil protection
The topic gained traction during the election season, and officials from the National Security Bureau, as well as government spokespeople, have called for a systemic approach to population protection. Razem party policymakers have proposed models inspired by Scandinavian systems, noting that civilian shelters do not yet exist in Poland and there are no binding rules guaranteeing their construction.
— notes the diary.
Rzeczpospolita also notes that the Ministry of the Interior and Administration is drafting a law on civil protection. A spokesperson indicated the draft should be ready by the end of March. The new legislation would introduce several legal and organizational tools to manage resources for population protection during peacetime, emergencies, and wartime.
The aim behind these measures is to ensure the rational use of state resources, particularly the national rescue and firefighting system, and to explore the involvement of associations and other non-governmental organizations.
— added the Ministry of the Interior.
READ ALSO:
— Tusk’s coalition advocates strengthening civil protection. Mazurek questions the budget allocation for this purpose this year.
— Kosiniak-Kamysz met with local authorities in Małopolska: Civil protection and population protection require coordinated action by government and local authorities.
Concerns about a Russian threat to Poland
Rzeczpospolita, citing the IBRiS survey, also notes skepticism toward Putin’s assurances that troops would be sent to Poland only in response to Polish aggression. The question asked whether this stance would ease fears of a Russian attack.
Among the responses, 28.7 percent strongly disagreed, 19.1 percent rather disagreed, 32.2 percent believed the opposite to be true, 15.6 percent strongly agreed, and 16.6 percent leaned toward agreement. About 20 percent were unsure. The strongest fears of a Putin-led attack are seen among opposition supporters, while reassurance tends to be higher among ruling-coalition supporters, younger respondents (up to 29), residents of medium-sized cities, and those with lower educational attainment.
The CATI survey, conducted February 9–10, 2024, among 1,067 respondents, provides these results.
Government responsiveness to security demands
Stanisław Żaryn offered pointed commentary on the research findings. The data indicate a clear public demand for concrete actions to strengthen the Republic of Poland. The government is urged to respond with decisive measures, including boosting military capacity, enhancing intelligence and security services, improving the prosecutor’s office, and ensuring accountable governance.
— expressed on Platform X by the former deputy minister-coordinator of special services in the government of Mateusz Morawiecki.
The emphasis remains on real investment in civil defense, especially since no funds in the 2024 budget were allocated for civil defense reconstruction.
READ ALSO:
— President Duda held discussions with the head of the Ministry of National Defense. Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasizes a shared language on state security.
— Interview with Carlson. Putin’s assertion that an invasion of Poland is unlikely is contrasted with past statements about Ukraine before February 24, 2022.
The discussion around national security continues to unfold across political divides, with ongoing debates about how best to bolster civil protection and safeguard the population.
Source: wPolityce