In a public update, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stated on social media that the government has kept its promise by lowering the retirement age. The remark accompanied a link to a video related to the referendum questions announced by the ruling party, signaling a shift in social policy and the government’s communication strategy.
We were introduced to the second referendum question
During the week, the Law and Justice party began unveiling additional referendum questions. The party’s leader, Jarosław Kaczyński, confirmed that the first question would be: Do you support the sale of state owned companies?
The public was directed to the next part of the campaign with a note that additional questions would be revealed in the days ahead. Beata Szydło outlined the subsequent referendum topic, which concerns pension reform and the age at which people may retire.
The announced second question asks: Are you in favor of raising the retirement age to 60 for women and 65 for men?
Further coverage highlighted the debate around pensions, with Szydło noting that discussions involving the retirement policy have been intensively centered on the impact on women, and that some critics have accused opponents of exploiting gendered narratives. A video accompanying the coverage provided context for the argument about pension reform.
Prime Minister: “We keep our word”
The prime minister referenced the party’s campaign video in a post on his official profile, reiterating the message: As promised, the retirement age has been lowered because the government keeps its word. The post included a link to the video illustrating the question under consideration.
As of October 1, 2017, the retirement age stood at 60 for women and 65 for men. The reforms that restored these ages had reversed changes introduced earlier, which had raised the retirement age to 67 under a previous administration. The return to the earlier retirement ages was enacted in 2016.
Referendum
A spokesperson for PiS, Rafał Bochenek, indicated to PAP that the final referendum resolution would be prepared for Sejm consideration and would consist of four questions to be scheduled progressively in the days ahead.
A two-day Sejm session was scheduled for August 16 and 17; during this period, a motion to organize a nationwide referendum was expected to be discussed in the chamber.
Earlier in the year, Deputy Prime Minister Kaczyński suggested that the issue of relocating migrants within the European Union should be decided by referendum. Prime Minister Morawiecki affirmed plans to hold the referendum in conjunction with autumn parliamentary elections. President Andrzej Duda authorized elections for October 15.
The public discourse around these questions continued to evolve, with various political figures weighing in on the implications for Poland’s social and economic landscape.
The conversation around the referendum also included reflections on how the government has prioritized Polish interests and how the electorate might respond to proposed changes during the electoral period.
The broader narrative highlighted the government’s call for clear questions and a direct vote, while opponents argued about potential impacts on the labor market and gender-specific outcomes. Observers noted that the sequence and timing of proposed questions could shape campaign strategies in the months leading to the polls.
— Beata Szydło: Defending Poland against what she described as harmful decisions by external actors on retirement policy has been a central concern for PiS
— PiS politicians on the second referendum question: The government has consistently stated that Polish citizens will decide; critics have raised questions about the messaging
— Analysts on the retirement age: Comments have circulated about whether changes would affect women differently and how long they might be expected to work
– Referendum questions. Commentary in media discussions indicated a shift in the political direction being communicated to the public
– Beginning of PiS action. Further referendum questions were anticipated to be announced in the near term, with recordings and coverage planned for mid-August
olk/PAP