Poll shows 54.3% disapproval for Donald Tusk as 49.6% oppose limiting presidential veto

Public disapproval of Donald Tusk

A survey conducted between 4 and 6 September 2026 by United Surveys by IBRiS for Wirtualna Polska shows that 54.3% of Polish adults hold a negative opinion of Donald Tusk's performance as prime minister. In the nationwide survey of 1,000 respondents, 30.7% evaluated his work as definitely bad, while 23.6% rated it rather bad. Positive assessments were expressed by 37.4% of participants, consisting of 12.2% who answered definitely good and 25.2% who replied rather good. An additional 8.3% of respondents were undecided.

The findings align with a survey published on 4 September 2026 by CBOS, conducted from 20 to 30 August. In that CBOS poll, 51% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with Tusk leading the government, compared to 36% who were satisfied and 13% who voiced no opinion.

Polarized views across political electorates

Evaluations of the prime minister show sharp divergence along voter lines. Among supporters of the ruling coalition, 85% rated Tusk positively, with 40% describing his work as definitely good and 45% as rather good. Only 8% of coalition voters held a negative view, with all 8% selecting rather bad and none choosing definitely bad, while 7% had no opinion.

Conversely, 80% of voters supporting opposition parties (comprising Law and Justice, Razem, and Confederation) viewed Tusk negatively. Within this group, 52% answered definitely bad, 28% replied rather bad, 12% replied rather good, and 8% expressed no opinion. Among Confederation supporters examined separately, 67% expressed negative views (50% definitely bad and 17% rather bad), while 18% viewed him positively and 15% were undecided. Among undecided and remaining voters, 66% evaluated the prime minister negatively and 23% positively, with 11% undecided.

Opposition to curtailing presidential veto power

The United Surveys poll also measured public attitudes toward amending the Polish Constitution to restrict presidential veto powers. A total of 49.6% of respondents opposed limiting the head of state's veto, with 32% definitely against and 17.6% rather against the proposal. Support for constitutional reform stood at 38.2%, comprising 25.7% definitely in favour and 12.5% rather in favour, while 12.2% had no opinion.

Voter alignment on constitutional veto reform mirrors the split on government approval. Among ruling coalition voters, 79% supported curtailing the veto (56% definitely in favour) and 18% opposed it. Among opposition supporters, 71% rejected limiting veto powers (57% definitely opposed) against 18% in favour. Among Confederation voters, 66% opposed the change and 21% supported it, while other respondents opposed the measure by 52% to 23%, with 25% undecided.

Legislative standoff with the presidential palace

The debate over constitutional powers follows multiple legislative clashes between the government and President Karol Nawrocki, who has vetoed 41 parliamentary bills. On 4 September 2026, the Sejm failed for a third time to override a presidential veto on legislation regulating the cryptoassets market.

The Ministry of Finance estimated for Rzeczpospolita that six of the presidential vetoes resulted in 8.04 billion PLN in lower state budget revenues in 2026. The largest component was the windfall tax on fuel profits, where the lack of enactment reduced projected revenues by approximately 3.8 billion PLN. President Nawrocki rejected the characterization of his vetoes as a financial loss for the state.

That is a lie and pure manipulation. Vetoes cost nothing. Vetoes protect Poles from further taxes, fees, and reaching into their pockets. I do not agree with the philosophy of 'money is lacking, so let us take more from Poles.'