The Law and Justice (PiS) party has announced that several referenda will be held on the same day as the general election scheduled for Oct. 15.
It was initially thought that just one additional question would be put to the Polish electoral on polling day, in relation to the controversial EU Migration Pact which would force EU member states to accept migrants arriving in Europe or face a penalty, however, it is understood that up to four additional questions may now be asked of Polish voters.
One further question will relate to the further privatization of state-owned companies, the leader of the ruling party, Jarosław Kaczyński announced via social media on Friday.
The question will read: “Do you support the sale of state-owned enterprises?”
The Polish parliament is expected next week to debate other referendum questions proposed by the ruling party in relation to the country’s retirement age and agricultural matters in light of the ongoing issue of the Ukrainian grain ban.
According to Polish Radio 24, the next three questions will be disclosed by PiS between Aug. 12- 14.
In a recorded video, Kaczyński claimed that the “voice of ordinary Poles” is the most important for his party. “The voice of foreign politicians, including Germans, has no significance, which is why in key matters we want to appeal to you directly, in a referendum,” he told followers.
He further stated that “Germany wants to plant [opposition leader] Donald Tusk in Poland to sell off common assets” and indicated that “his backers speak about this openly”. To support these words, the creators of the video included a statement from an economist affiliated with the opposition Civic Platform (PO), Bogusław Grabowski, from January of this year, who in a radio interview said that it is necessary to “break up” the state energy giant PKN Orlen, as well as privatize fuel companies, energy companies, ports, and airports.
“We cannot agree to this. You, the people, will decide if the wealth of generations will remain in Polish hands,” Kaczyński concluded.
