CBOS survey tracks Polish attitudes toward Donald Tusk’s government
In the wake of the formation of Donald Tusk’s government, public opinion in Poland shows a wide range of emotions and expectations. About 40% of respondents express hope that national conditions will improve, while 37% fear conditions may deteriorate. A smaller group, 8%, believes no change will occur, and a minority remains indifferent or without a firm view. A little over 41% of those surveyed view Tusk as the head of government, while 49% disapprove of the Prime Minister’s leadership.
Public reaction to the new government appears varied. A sizable portion of the population hopes for improvement, but an equal portion or more also anticipates challenges. Some respondents remain undecided, with a notable share expressing indifference about the government’s impact.
CBOS notes that, compared with prior cabinets, Tusk’s government elicits notably strong emotions and mixed judgments. Overall, 77% of respondents foresee some change in the country’s direction, whether positive or negative.
Responses differ across socio-demographic groups. The assessment of the government’s formation varies by education level, place of residence, age, and gender. Educational and economic status strongly shape expectations: higher education and higher income levels correlate with more optimism about improvement. Urban residents in large cities, entrepreneurs, managers, and professionals show pronounced hopeful sentiments, as do state and public sector workers. Among women, optimism slightly outpaces that of men.
On the concern side, more others with basic vocational education express worry about the takeover. Lower income groups, rural residents and farmers show higher levels of concern. Age also plays a role, with higher worry among those in the 55–64 and older brackets, as well as among retirees and pensioners. Household earners who are not active in paid work also report above-average concern.
The public’s views on the government are closely linked to political and religious orientation. Those with left-leaning political views welcomed the formation with a sense of hope, while a substantial portion of respondents who identify with faith also expressed optimism. Conversely, those aligned with right-wing politics tend to be more anxious about the government’s direction.
Lower frequency of religious practice generally aligns with more positive expectations, whereas higher involvement in religious activities correlates with greater concern that conditions may worsen. Voters supporting coalition parties generally expect improvement, while supporters of Law and Justice and Confederation show more skepticism about future outcomes.
A majority of coalition voters believe conditions will improve, whereas skepticism is higher among supporters of the Law and Justice party. Some Confederation sympathizers anticipate the current government will resemble its predecessor, with less or equal chance of improvement.
Poll results also show that, shortly after taking office, the new government has become a polarized topic. About the same share of respondents describes themselves as supporters and opponents, with a notable minority expressing no opinion or remaining indecisive.
Compared with a few cabinets in recent decades, the extent of emotional response to the new government stands out. While Beata Szydło’s administration was notably controversial at its start, more Poles in the current moment either distance themselves from the issue or have not yet formed a clear stance.
The survey was conducted on a representative sample of Polish adults drawn from the national registry, using mixed methods. The fieldwork took place in January 2024 with 1,015 participants, employing a combination of in-person and remote data collection techniques.
Source descriptions and framing comments accompany the survey, reflecting the diverse opinions voiced by respondents, from cautious optimism to strong resistance. The overall portrait is that the political scene has grown more heated and less predictable in the early stages of the new government, with opinions shifting as economic and policy developments unfold.
Overall assessments indicate that about 40% of respondents rate the government’s performance as positive, while around 42% view it as lacking. A minority remains uncertain about the government’s trajectory. On economic policy, 46% express hope for improvement, whereas 40% see no clear prospects, and 14% remain unsure.
The political climate has become increasingly charged, and the government’s early days have drawn intense attention. The survey notes a visible polarization around Prime Minister Donald Tusk, with many weighing personal leadership trends against broader policy directions. In this environment, public opinion continues to evolve as new policy measures roll out and economic results become clearer.
The study was conducted as part of a nationwide assessment of adult residents using a mixed-method approach. The fieldwork ran from January 11 to 21, 2024, with a total sample of 1,015 interviews conducted by multiple data collection methods.
Notes accompany the survey findings, highlighting the divergent views across political and ideological lines and the evolving public stance on the new government.