In September, we asked Poles about their self-perception of influence on public affairs. This study has been conducted regularly since 1992. Compared to the previous survey from 2023, the percentage of Poles who believe they have influence on the national affairs has significantly decreased (a drop of 20 percentage points to 34%). However, it should be noted that the previous survey was fielded immediately after parliamentary elections, whose result was received with satisfaction and hope by a large part of society. The significance of the October elections is evidenced by the record-high turnout in the entire history of Poland after 1989 (75%). The current level of subjective agency falls within the range observed between 2017 and 2021, when it was between one-third to just under 40%. Currently, the overwhelming majority feel a lack of agency and think that they have no influence on national affairs (60%).

Do you think people like you have an influence on Poland's national affairs?

Meanwhile, the perception of influence on issues in the immediate environment remains at a very similar level compared to the previous survey conducted at the end of 2023. At that time, the percentage of those convinced that they have an influence on the affairs of their city or commune slightly exceeded three-fifths of respondents (61%). Currently, 59% of respondents claim such influence. These results are not surprising, as for years, Poles have been more convinced of their ability to influence their immediate surroundings than what happens on a national scale. Still, a minority (36%) declare a lack of agency in their immediate environment.

Do you think people like you have an influence on the affairs of your city or commune?

Combining both dimensions of influence, i.e. the national and the local, allows for the creation of a synthetic measure of citizens' sense of agency. Currently, just under one-third of Poles (31%) feel they have influence over both national and local issues. Meanwhile, 28% feel they have influence only on the affairs of their city or commune, and only 3% believe they have influence on Poland but none on their immediate environment. Those who feel they have no influence on public affairs constitute 38%.

Respondents who believe they have influence: