Nawrocki signs Poland's 2026 budget but sends it to the Constitutional Tribunal
The president can't veto the budget, so he refers it — Tusk says it changes nothing
Summary
Poland's President Karol Nawrocki signed the 2026 budget law to avoid a financing gap but simultaneously referred it to the Constitutional Tribunal under "subsequent control," citing public-finance doubts. Donald Tusk dismissed the move as practically meaningless — "regardless of whether the president signs or refers the budget, in practice this changes nothing" — and the government insists the budget, including a contested 3% public-sector raise, will be executed. The president cannot veto a budget law, distinguishing this from his record run of vetoes in Nawrocki sets a Polish veto record, paralysing Tusk's agenda; the Tribunal referral is the constitutional channel left to him. Budgeted expenditure runs to 918.9bn złoty against 647.2bn in revenue.
By the numbers
- 918.9bn PLN — budgeted expenditure; 647.2bn revenue.
- 271.7bn PLN — the resulting deficit.
- 3% — public-sector pay rise for January 2026.
- ~2bn PLN — union-estimated shortfall versus promised raises.
Why it matters
The Tribunal referral is a softer weapon than a veto but signals the president will contest the government's fiscal numbers by every available means. With Poland's deficit wide and Tusk admitting finances are "on the edge," the budget fight doubles as a credibility test for both camps.
What to watch
- The Constitutional Tribunal's handling of the referral.
- Whether the promised teacher and public-sector raises are fully funded.
- Deficit trajectory and any market reaction.