Poland experienced a significant political shift following the parliamentary elections of October 2023. Although Law and Justice (PiS) emerged as the strongest party, high voter turnout enabled a broad opposition coalition to form a new government under Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The election took place amid institutional strain, contested electoral reforms and continued erosion of the rule of law. Since taking office, the new government has sought to reverse democratic backsliding, but judicial reform remains constrained by entrenched appointments and the veto power of President Andrzej Duda.
Economic policy has largely remained unchanged. Fiscal expansion has placed Poland under the EU’s Excessive Deficit Procedure, and progress on tax reform and renewable energy expansion has been limited. At the same time, reforms to school curricula and fiscal arrangements for local governments have been implemented.
Commitments to restoring democratic standards prompted the European Union to release long-frozen recovery and cohesion funds. While steering capacity remains limited by institutional constraints, Poland has re-established itself as a constructive EU partner amid ongoing security and disinformation challenges linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
