Poland’s President said on Thursday that he would veto a law proposed by the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party that would benefit bigger parties, including the eurosceptic PiS and the main Opposition grouping, in European Parliament elections next year.
Explaining his decision, Andrzej Duda said the rules — approved by Parliament in July — effectively meant that parties would need as much as 16.5% of the vote to win any seats in the European legislature.
“That’s moving too far away from the standards of proportional representation,” he said.
A strong performance by eurosceptic parties across the EU in the election could have a significant impact on future policymaking in the bloc.
Nearly three years since winning a vote in 2015, the PiS, which combines nationalist rhetoric with generous welfare policies, enjoys robust public support in the country. For Mr. Duda, the support of smaller parties, particularly the anti-establishment Kukiz-15, may be crucial for his re-election prospects in 2020.