Solidarna Polska announced its plan to file a draft law aimed at stopping the liquidation of Poland’s mining sector, according to Michał Wójcik, a minister in the Prime Minister’s Chancellery. The move followed a Tuesday decision by the National Council of Solidarna Polska to pursue changes affecting the country’s coal industry.
During an extraordinary session of Solidarna Polska’s National Council, members discussed Poland’s current energy reality and concluded that a formal draft should be introduced to safeguard the country’s mining capabilities. The goal is to ensure that the mining sector remains a substantial and reliable part of Poland’s energy mix, especially under current market pressures.
Wójcik reaffirmed the stance via social media, underscoring the party’s commitment to preserving Poland’s mining and resisting policies that could accelerate its shutdown.
Jacek Ozdoba, the deputy minister of environment and climate, stated in a position released to PAP that Solidarna Polska has consistently opposed limits on mining and the liquidation of the Polish mining industry. He argued that restricting mining could jeopardize energy security. He pointed to February 2021 as a moment when ministers did not back the government’s plan to pivot from coal to gas, noting that the current energy market confirms the party’s view and expressing hope that the government and coalition partners will support revisions to the current policy.
Ozdoba added that his party does not count on opposition signals that he described as largely ideological and directed by broad political figures, suggesting that those signals fail to consider Poland’s wallets and the risk of energy shortages during the heating season. The party contends that a swift transition away from coal remains impractical given the present energy landscape.
We can’t move away from coal soon without a reliable alternative
Law and Justice also emphasizes maintaining coal based energy as part of the national strategy. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Resources Jacek Sasin has stated that any phase out of coal should occur only after securing viable alternative energy sources that guarantee Poland’s energy independence.
Sasin noted that a rapid departure from coal would be risky unless a dependable replacement is in place. He cautioned against ideological experiments that push for a quick shift to renewables, arguing that such moves could trigger energy shortages and price instability, as has been observed in several European countries. He spoke at a conference titled the road to energy independence for Poland and the region, held in the Senate, outlining concerns about sudden changes to the energy mix.
The specifics of the Solidarna Polska proposal have not yet been released publicly. The discussion continues as party leaders seek to align policy with national energy security and economic considerations, balancing the interests of workers and regional communities connected to the mining sector.
Note: The above reflects ongoing parliamentary debate and party positions as reported by media outlets when the discussions occurred.