Status: Not Ratified
Poland has a bicameral system (Sejm and Senate), requiring both chambers to ratify CETA. The Sejm is controlled by the governing Law and Justice Party (PiS) and the Senate is controlled by the opposition (Civil Platform, the Left, and the Polish People’s Party). Poland’s government as well as the main opposition party are in favour of CETA, however the government has not yet initiated the ratification process.
Public debate
Contestation on CETA ratification in Poland has been limited. While the governing PiS’s leadership and most PiS members, as well as largest opposition party (the Civic Platform) are largely supportive of CETA, there is contestation of CETA’s ratification. Contestation in Poland focuses on the investor-state dispute settlement provisions as a “parallel justice system”, as well as agricultural and food standards and safety (GMOs). Opponent CSOs include Fundacja Kuźnia Kampanierów, the Institute of Global Responsibility and Stowarzyszenie Ekologiczne EKO-UNIA.
Trade data
Poland had a trade surplus in goods trade with Canada of €933 million in 2021 (Eurostat). Moreover, imports from Canada were €320 million, 0.3% of Poland’s imports from outside the EU . Exports were €1.25 billion, 1.7% of Poland’s extra-EU exports (Eurostat). Canada-Poland bilateral goods trade (imports + exports) grew by €272 million, or 18%, between 2016 and 2019 (Statistics Canada).
Sources
Foodwatch. (March 2021). “12 EU Member States can still stop CETA”. Link.
Eschbach, A. The Ratification Process in EU Member States – A presentation with particular consideration of the TTIP and CETA free trade agreements. Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law. Link
European and Canadian civil society groups call for rejection of CETA (November 2016). Link
Click here to return to CETA Tracker: Main Page
Click here for the Centre for European Studies, EU Learning.
Image: https://flagpedia.net