Key challenges and expectations in post-election Poland
2023 in Poland was marked by anthe election campaign and then parliamentary elections in October. It was considered one the most important elections since the fall of communism in 1989, as it could have greatly affected future ties with the European Union. The conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, which had governed the country for eight years, lost their majority in parliament, and the three opposition parties together won over 54% of the vote in a context of record-high participation. Turnout was nearly 75%, surpassing the 63% turnout of 1989, a vote that triggered the collapse of the Soviet-backed communist system. The official ballot announced by the National Electoral Commission aligned closely with the Ipsos exit poll released just after voting ended on election day.
There are many challenges for the new government to face in the coming months and years. One of the most important issues is ensuring the security of the country and its citizens. Although, as in other countries, the level of inflation has topped the list of concerns in Poland for many months, the fear of armed conflict between countries is also relatively high.
Poles also have high expectations for improving the functioning of the health care system. According to the latest wave of our Ipsos Global Health Service Monitor survey, the assessment of the healthcare system is the lowest among all surveyed countries: only 14% of Poles evaluate it positively. Mental illness, along with cancer, is one of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare system in Poland. The importance of this area for Poles is demonstrated by the fact that the significance of mental health, as a major health care issue, has increased by 22 percentage points in five years!
Another challenge for the new government will be the reform of the education system. As the latest results of the Ipsos Global Education Monitor show, Poles do not rate the education system well, and the most often mentioned challenges include an outdated education program, political/ideological bias, overcrowded classes, insufficient level of teacher training and inadequate use of technology.
Our global Ipsos Equalities Index survey also provides interesting insights into Polish society. As Tymoteusz Ogłaza, Research Executive in Public Affairs, says: “Poles understand the problem of inequality as a lack of equal opportunities. They indicate that in Poland, those who are particularly deprived of such opportunities are primarily homosexual and bisexual people, transgender people, as well as people with physical disabilities. At the same time, we are skeptical about attempts to promote equality, which may indicate the politicization of this area. Although we see signs of discrimination, we are very divided on how to fight it".
Anna Karczmarczuk
Country Manager, Ipsos in Poland