- This budget is proof of the current government's deep crisis of credibility, effectiveness, and capacity. It is a budget that shows a helpless capitulation to the challenges facing Poland. It is a budget of unfulfilled election promises, of dashed Polish expectations, a budget of chaos with incomprehensible cuts in some areas and institutions, and with unjustified increases in spending in others […], and above all, it is a budget based on colossal debt. Debt that in no way translates into a better life for citizens - says President Karol Nawrocki in a recording published on the Presidential Chancellery's social media.

- Despite my critical assessment of this budget, the constitution does not give me the right to veto it. Taking into account all the presented arguments and the powers I possess, I have decided to sign the budget bill, but at the same time, I am submitting it to the Constitutional Tribunal for ex-post review - he announced.

*****

Below is the full text of the President's address:

“A Budget of Unfulfilled Promises, a Budget of Chaos, and Above All, a Budget Based on Colossal Debt”

We live in difficult times. In such moments, one must act responsibly, because the state must function, regardless of whether times are good or bad. The budget bill has landed on my desk. According to the constitution, the president cannot veto it.

This budget is proof of the current government's deep crisis of credibility, effectiveness, and capacity. It is a budget that shows a helpless capitulation to the challenges facing Poland. It is a budget of unfulfilled election promises, of dashed Polish expectations. A budget of chaos with incomprehensible cuts in some areas and institutions, and with unjustified increases in spending in others, such as disproportionately high salary increases in the Sejm, and above all, it is a budget based on colossal debt. Debt that in no way translates into a better life for citizens.

“What has happened in the last three years means debt twice as large as that incurred by Gierek over a decade”

The budget for 2026 is the second in a row where the deficit constitutes nearly 1/3 of the state's total expenditures. This means that every third zloty spent comes from debt, from credit. Many of you remember the concept of Gierek's debt, which Poland struggled with for decades. What has happened in the last three years means debt twice as large as that incurred by Edward Gierek over a decade. Of course, when converted to today's money value. The numbers do not lie.

“The first year in history where the Ministry of Finance openly assumes exceeding 60% debt relative to GDP”

Since 2024, the budget deficit has increased radically. In three years, the government has generated nearly PLN 800 billion in debt within the budget itself. This is more than the state's entire annual revenue. The year 2026 will be exceptional for another reason. It is the first year in history where the Ministry of Finance openly assumes exceeding 60% debt relative to GDP, calculated according to adopted international standards covering all debt categories. 60% debt is the prudential threshold stipulated in Article 216 of the Polish constitution.

“The government's creative budget accounting is playing with fire”

The government is trying to escape responsibility by not including some liabilities and using legal tricks when calculating this alarming constitutional threshold. Poles will have to repay all the debt – including that which is currently hidden in virtual budget drawers. This creative budget accounting is playing with fire.

“Nothing that was promised is being fulfilled, and at the same time, the state is being indebted for decades”

One might think that such colossal debt is the price for implementing great projects or fulfilling obligations to citizens. Unfortunately, this is not the case. This budget is a budget of unfulfilled projects. There is no increase in the tax-free allowance. There is no double indexation of pensions. The planned indexation will be one of the lowest in years. Entrepreneurs will pay higher contributions, although they were promised exactly the opposite. The public sector will receive indexation at the minimal level of 3%. Since I took office, not a single law has been passed implementing the key commitments that the current government ran on to gain power. Nothing that was promised is being fulfilled, and at the same time, the state is being indebted for decades.

“Billions are disappearing from the budget”

The state of public finances has been deeply concerning me for a long time. I inquired about this in August during a cabinet meeting. The answers were evasive. My Chancellery requested detailed data. This was met with no response. I submitted a legislative initiative aimed at sealing the tax system. The project has been held up in the Sejm for 150 days.

Meanwhile, billions are disappearing from the budget. Officials from the National Revenue Administration are talking about it. This is money that could save the health of Poles, support seniors, and strengthen state security.

“A Budget of Collapse in Healthcare”

This budget is also a budget of collapse in healthcare. PLN 23 billion – that is the deficit that will arise in the system's funding next year. We are already seeing this crisis. Maternity wards are closing, patients are being turned away without help, and treatment and nutrition conditions in hospitals are worsening. This cannot be drowned out by further political brawls. It is a real threat to people's lives and health. Longer queues, lack of services, closing departments. Hospitals are already limiting admissions because they know they won't be paid later.

“I expect immediate changes in the budget regarding healthcare from the government”

In this situation, I expect immediate changes in the budget from the government, ensuring stable financing for healthcare. According to the constitution, only the government has the right of initiative in the budget procedure.

“This budget means stagnation, not development. It also does not fulfill security guarantees”

This budget also means stagnation, not development. There is a decrease in real funding for science. University rectors have pointed this out, indicating the lowest level of science funding in years, many times lower than the average expenditure of OECD countries. Culture and sport are also insufficiently funded. This is also a budget that does not take into account the voices of social dialogue partners or trade unions.

The state budget submitted to me also does not fulfill security guarantees. Despite many declarations, it does not ensure 5% of GDP for defense. In times of greatest threats, Poland cannot afford such half-measures. If we don't pay for our own army, we will pay for someone else's. History has already shown us this, and it was a very costly lesson.

“Despite my critical assessment of this budget, the constitution does not give me the right to veto it”

Despite my critical assessment of this budget, the constitution does not give me the right to veto it. Taking into account all the presented arguments and the powers I possess, I have decided to sign the budget bill, but at the same time, I am submitting it to the Constitutional Tribunal for ex-post review.

“I am signing the budget to protect the stability of the state and sending it to the Constitutional Tribunal to protect Poland's future”

I am signing the budget to protect the stability of the state and sending it to the Constitutional Tribunal to protect Poland's future. I am signing because the absence of a budget would not solve any of the problems we face. However, it would pose a risk to the stability and predictability of state affairs.

“I did not want to allow a situation where my decision becomes a pretext for another false narrative about blocking money”

Not signing the budget bill will not fix the way the government operates. It will not make the authorities start listening to citizens and fulfilling their obligations to them. Most citizens rightly believe that if there is a budget, there are payments, pensions, and healthcare. If there is no budget, uncertainty arises.

I also did not want to allow a situation where the president's decision becomes a pretext for another false narrative about blocking money. I do not want the absence of my signature to become an alibi for government inaction, because, as I have announced, I will motivate them to work every day.

“This is why Poles elected me”

Today, we must not allow for even greater losses. We must weaken bad processes and, where possible, stop them. This decision is a responsible fulfillment of that commitment. This is why Poles elected me.

Ten budżet jest dowodem głębokiego kryzysu wiarygodności, skuteczności i sprawczości obecnego rządu. To budżet, który pokazuje bezradną kapitulację wobec wyzwań, przed jakimi stoi Polska. To budżet niespełnionych obietnic z kampanii wyborczej, zawiedzionych oczekiwań Polaków. pic.twitter.com/nF8HIpBK1D

— Kancelaria Prezydenta RP (@prezydentpl) January 19, 2026