Poland faces a long-term question about security and national sovereignty. If the referendum proves valid, turnout will be decisive, with more than half of eligible voters participating. In a conversation with wPolityce.pl, Tomasz Zieliński of PiS emphasized that a turnout surpassing 50 percent could force future legal changes to go through the referendum channel. He noted that about 13 million Poles would be involved in such decisions, underscoring that any major shift on issues like national asset sales, retirement age, border security with Belarus, and migration would require broad public consent through a referendum. This framing suggests that whoever leads Poland would be constrained by the referendum’s outcomes rather than acting unilaterally. (Source: wPolityce)
wPolityce.pl posed a direct question about boycott calls from opposition figures. Zieliński responded by defending the referendum as an authentic expression of democracy. He described participation in the referendum as a constitutional guarantee that allows society to weigh in on the country’s most pressing issues beyond ordinary elections. He characterized boycott calls as anti-democratic, stressing that the referendum questions touch on security concerns that affect Polish households and the nation’s international position. He stated his own position clearly, voting four times against the proposed changes. (Source: wPolityce)
The discussion also turned to how the majority might vote. Zieliński framed the referendum as a safeguard for Poland’s future, arguing that valid turnout would ensure that any changes to key policies, including the sale of national assets or changes to the retirement age, would require public approval again through a referendum. He suggested that governance would be shaped by the will of the voters rather than by swift legislative or executive moves. (Source: wPolityce)
When asked about the potential scenario where the result favors the ruling party after a strong turnout of voters, Zieliński warned about the possibility of the opposition attempting to invalidate or ignore the referendum through political maneuvers. He asserted that the Polish constitution remains in force, and that the citizen’s decision should be respected as part of the constitutional order. He argued that there is no lawful path to override the referendum once the people have spoken, and he noted that while some opposition figures in the European Union might seek different approaches, Poland adheres to its constitutional framework. (Source: wPolityce)
Ultimately, the interview frames the referendum as a pivotal moment for Poland. It connects the questions asked to longer-term security, economic sovereignty, and national integrity. The conversation highlights the idea that national policy should reflect the will of the Polish people, with the referendum serving as a direct mechanism to register that will. The exchange underscores the importance of respecting the outcome and recognizing that governance must align with the expressed choice of the citizens. (Source: wPolityce)
Source: wPolityce (Source: wPolityce)