Poland

The study commissioned by the Civil Development Forum (FOR) was conducted by Opinia24 between 17 and 21 March 2025 on a sample of 1,000 respondents. The sample was representative of the adult population of Poland in terms of gender, age, education and place of residence (rural areas and cities of different sizes), as well as voting preferences expressed in the 15 October 2023 election. 

In 2024, alcohol consumption per capita in Poland was the lowest (8.77 litres of pure alcohol) since 2005, and since 2021 there has been an uninterrupted downward trend in alcohol consumption. We drink about 10% less than in 2019 or 2021. Given that consumption is declining naturally, it does not seem that additional regulations and restrictions are needed.

In early August 2025, the Ministry of Climate and Environment presented a draft act on extended producer responsibility (EPR). The draft raises serious concerns. The Ministry claims that the current system “does not deliver satisfactory effectiveness”. Meanwhile, in 2023 Poland’s packaging waste recycling rate was higher than the EU average. 

The assessment of income taxes is mixed. On the one hand, Poland\'s top marginal tax rates are in many situations lower than, or close to the OECD average. On the other hand, the Tax Foundation points to many elements that fall short of the postulates of simplicity and neutrality of the tax system. 

Alcohol abuse and risky drinking have negative consequences for drinkers and their loved ones, and also pose risks to public health. Reducing the harmful effects of drinking is therefore an important objective for public policies.

How has the relationship between the two countries evolved since Donald Tusk\'s recent election? To answer the question, it is essential to explore the origins of the Polish-Hungarian relationship.

One of the most important books in the history of democracy and constitutionalism – The Federalist, written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison – has been published in Polish for the first time.

For decades, Sweden has been presented as a proof of the superiority of the welfare state. In reality, its success tells a different story: one of liberalization, a crisis caused by excessive public-sector expansion, and a return to market pragmatism.

The government’s acceptance of more than 190 deregulation proposals was good news. Yet, the overall balance of this “year of deregulation” shows that Poland still lacks a coherent philosophy of lawmaking. Deregulation should not consist of isolated corrections implemented while new, unstable, and excessive regulations are produced at the same time.

Poland stands at a decisive moment in the debate over legal recognition for same-sex couples. After years of political stalemate and institutional resistance, a shift in parliamentary power in 2023 created renewed momentum for reform. The emergence of a broad democratic coalition — spanning from the left to the centre-right — has reopened legislative space for civil unions. Yet political realignment alone does not guarantee success.