Conflicts · Warsaw
Poll finds Poles split on restoring compulsory military service, 47.4% for and 46.1% against
A United Surveys by IBRiS poll commissioned by Wirtualna Polska found 47.4% of respondents in favour of reinstating compulsory service and 46.1% against. Support was highest among opposition voters, while supporters of the ruling camp mostly opposed it.
Poll results
A United Surveys by IBRiS survey commissioned by Wirtualna Polska asked whether, given the current international situation, Poland should reintroduce compulsory military service. Support stood at 47.4%, made up of 22.4% who chose a definite yes and 25% who chose rather yes. Opposition reached 46.1%, including 19.8% who said definitely no and 26.3% who said rather no. The remaining 6.5% had no clear view. The gap between the two camps is 1.3 percentage points, so the result points to a sharply divided public rather than a clear majority.
Differences between electorates
The poll shows marked differences by political sympathy. Among opposition supporters, 57% favour reintroduction, including 25% who are definitely in favour and 32% rather in favour. Another 37% are against and 6% are undecided. Sympathisers of the ruling camp lean the other way: 51% oppose the idea, with 36% rather against and 15% definitely against. Some 40% of them back reintroduction and 9% have no settled opinion.
- In favour
- 47.4 %
- Against
- 46.1 %
- No clear view
- 6.5 %
Data from the article text
- Opposition supporters
- 57 %
- Ruling camp supporters
- 40 %
- Other voters
- 39 %
Data from the article text
Other voters and method
Among voters who do not identify with either camp, 58% oppose a return to conscription, 39% support it and 3% have no firm view. The survey was carried out between 2 and 4 October 2026 on a nationwide sample of 1,000 people, using telephone (CATI) and online (CAWI) interviews. The stated margin of error is 3%, at a confidence level of 0.95.
Background to the debate
Compulsory military service in Poland has been suspended since 2008 but has not been abolished. Provisions set out mainly in the Act on the Defence of the Homeland allow it to be reinstated, for example in a crisis situation. The poll asked about this option in light of the present international climate, without any change to the law being announced in the source reports.