Afer the introduction of the principle of nation sovereignty in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, it seemed that a nationwide referendum was bound to become an important instrument allowing the expression of opinions and formulation of decisions by the sovereign. The nation is a source of power and may assume the role of an arbitrator in conflict situations between constitutional state organs but also in disputes between the subjects of the political scene, which is reflected in aiming the activities of public authorities according to the will expressed via a referendum. The conclusions that can be drawn from the use of nationwide referendum in Poland are much less optimistic. From the very beginning of its implementation, it was accompanied by political horse-trading. A referendum has been and still is commonly treated by the Polish political classes as an element of political struggle between particular parliamentary and extra-parliamentary groups that take advantage of it for their current purposes. Referenda have become toys in the hands of politicians who use them as tools in electoral competition and an element of the ‘game of power.’

Afer the introduction of the principle of nation sovereignty in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, it seemed that a nationwide referendum was bound to become an important instrument allowing the expression of opinions and formulation of decisions by the sovereign. The nation is a source of power and may assume the role of an arbitrator in conflict situations between constitutional state organs but also in disputes between the subjects of the political scene, which is reflected in aiming the activities of public authorities according to the will expressed via a referendum. The conclusions that can be drawn from the use of nationwide referendum in Poland are much less optimistic. From the very beginning of its implementation, it was accompanied by political horse-trading. A referendum has been and still is commonly treated by the Polish political classes as an element of political struggle between particular parliamentary and extra-parliamentary groups that take advantage of it for their current purposes. Referenda have become toys in the hands of politicians who use them as tools in electoral competition and an element of the ‘game of power.’