As the European Parliament elections conclude, Poland’s ruling coalition is facing increased internal discord primarily centered around environmental policies and fur farming. According to “Gazeta Polska,” conflicting interests within the coalition parties—Polska 2050, Polish People’s Party (PSL), and Civic Coalition—are causing friction and blocking legislative initiatives.
A significant point of contention is a proposed bill by Małgorzata Tracz of the Green party, part of the Civic Coalition, aimed at abolishing the fur industry by 2029. The proposal includes high compensations for fur farmers as an incentive to cease operations sooner. However, this has not received support from PSL, with Deputy Minister of Agriculture Stefan Krajewski openly opposing the bill, citing his commitment to supporting Polish farmers.
The fur farming issue has also brought to light allegations of government connections to the industry, including financial support from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) during the PiS government. Additionally, journalists have reported potential Russian ties, as some businesses linked to the fur industry have relocated to the Kaliningrad Oblast and faced legal issues for violating local environmental laws.
Another contentious issue is the management of wolf populations in Poland. Proposals from the Ministry of Agriculture, which receive backing from PSL and some Civic Coalition members, advocate for a reduction in wolf numbers. However, these proposals are not supported by Polska 2050, whose representative, Mikołaj Dorożała, argues for more scientifically backed solutions rather than immediate culls.
Conflicts extend to other environmental and agricultural policies as well. The coalition struggles with issues such as the deployment of biogas plants—a project that requires cooperation between the Ministries of Agriculture, Funds, and Climate. Here too, work is stalled by inter-departmental conflicts, with the PSL controlling the Ministry of Agriculture and Polska 2050 overseeing the others.
The Ministry of Climate and Environment’s relations with environmental NGOs are also influencing politics. Activists have been instrumental in blocking appointments and pushing for legislation that aligns with their goals, such as excluding 20% of forests from economic use and limiting the use of biomass for energy.
These internal disputes within the coalition are creating a growing number of disgruntled politicians and stakeholders, suggesting that the coalition’s ability to govern effectively may be compromised. The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing protests and debates indicating that resolutions are not imminent.