Polish Finance Ministry estimates 8 billion PLN budget loss from presidential vetoes

Estimated revenue shortfall

Estimates prepared by the Ministry of Finance indicate that six legislative measures blocked by President Karol Nawrocki will reduce state budget revenues by 8.04 billion PLN in 2026. The largest single item in the assessment is the blocked tax on windfall profits of fuel companies, which the ministry estimated would have generated 3.8 billion PLN. Rather than issuing a standard veto, Nawrocki referred the fuel tax bill to the Constitutional Tribunal under preventive control, arguing that its application to earnings from March 2026 would be retroactive and that costs would fall on drivers.

The second-largest reduction stems from the veto of an alcohol excise duty increase, calculated at a loss of 1.8 billion PLN. Expanding the SENT electronic transport monitoring system to the concrete trade accounts for an estimated 1.2 billion PLN in unrealized revenue. Other blocked fiscal measures include a sugar fee increase from 50 to 70 groszy costing 0.9 billion PLN, corporate income tax amendments valued at 0.2 billion PLN, and a personal income tax increase on gambling winnings totaling 0.14 billion PLN.

Presidential reaction and fiscal arguments

The Chancellery of the President rejected claims that presidential decisions harmed public finances, framing the blockades as protection against higher living costs. Paweł Szefernaker, head of the Presidential Cabinet, cited the "Stop tax hikes" pledge from Nawrocki's 2025 campaign platform, Plan 21. Szefernaker stated that the measures prevented price increases on fuel, juices, and beverages while sparing family businesses from additional administrative obligations.

Let us not be persuaded that stopping tax increases is a cost. This is money that stays with Poles.

Presidential spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz argued that the executive veto serves as a constitutional check against flawed legislation and assigned responsibility for the state deficit to Finance Minister Andrzej Domański.

The rulers prepared legislative flaws, inconsistent with the Constitution. And the President of the Republic of Poland, as guardian of the Constitution, has a duty to ensure compliance with the law.

Government criticism and credit rating review

Members of the governing coalition criticized the vetoes, with government figures referring to Nawrocki as a "veto machine". Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski addressed the revenue figures on social media, connecting the blocked revenue to the presidential proposal for a 33% household electricity subsidy. The presidential chancellery estimated that the electricity bill reduction proposal, named "Cheap Electricity - 33%", would save households over 800 PLN annually.

And then he demands electricity subsidies.

Credit rating agency Fitch maintained Poland's credit rating at A-/F1 for both foreign and domestic currency obligations, leaving the outlook at negative. In its assessment, Fitch noted that legislative blockades constrain fiscal consolidation and economic reforms. According to presidential records released on 6 August 2026 marking his first year in office, Nawrocki signed 255 bills and vetoed 41, exceeding the total veto tallies of previous full presidential terms.