Polish authorities have floated the idea of submitting the demolition of the border fence between Poland and Belarus to a national referendum that would take place during the parliamentary elections scheduled for 15 October. This plan was announced by the Minister of National Defense, Mariusz Blaszczak, according to a TV report from TVP World. The proposition frames the question for voters as a direct choice: whether they support removing the border barrier on the Poland–Belarus frontier. Blaszczak emphasized that the ongoing and future protection of Poland’s borders rests with the citizens themselves and that their decision would guide policy in this sensitive area.
Blaszczak pointed to what he described as ongoing security concerns for Poland, citing perceived threats from Russia as a justification for reinforcing border controls. He indicated that additional measures, including the deployment of more troops and the erection of a border barrier, would extend to areas adjacent to Belarus and to regions where Poland perceives potential risks connected to neighboring states. The message presented to the public frames border security as a collective responsibility, one that requires citizen input through a national vote rather than a decision solely by political leaders alone.
The referendum is expected to encompass four separate questions, with this border barrier issue anticipated to be the fourth and possibly final item on the ballot. Earlier questions contemplated by the government include whether voters approve the sale of state-owned enterprises, whether retirement age reforms should proceed, and whether the EU’s migrant relocation mechanisms should be accepted as they pertain to asylum and migration policy. The way these questions are posed, and the sequencing of topics, are designed to gauge public consensus on a broad range of national priorities that touch on economic reform, social policy, and security in the context of the country’s relationship with the European Union and neighboring states.
At the level of parliamentary procedure, the lower house, the Sejm, continues to await formal approval for the referendum questions. Lawmakers must ratify the exact wording and the scope of any proposed plebiscite before the ballot can proceed. The timeline and legal framework surrounding such referendums in Poland often involve careful consideration of constitutional provisions and electoral regulations, with officials citing the need to ensure legitimacy and voter comprehension across the country during a broad electoral event.
Historically, Polish authorities have pointed to alleged tensions linked to migration flows managed at the borders with Russia and Belarus as part of a broader national security narrative. In related developments, there have been past reports that connection accusations have been directed at Russia and Belarus in the context of migration and border incidents. Separately, there were incidents involving Belarusian individuals who were accused of engaging in espionage activities related to Russia, underscoring the sensitive geopolitical environment surrounding Poland’s border regions. The overall discourse reflects a pronounced emphasis on border sovereignty, regional stability, and the perceived need to align domestic policy with security considerations reported by state institutions.