Poland’s parliament is currently debating a proposal to designate Christmas Eve as a public holiday, with the bill potentially taking effect as soon as 2024. The draft, introduced by lawmakers from the Left Party (S&D), a member of Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s ruling coalition, aims to provide citizens with a dedicated day off to spend time with family and friends on December 24.
Left-wing MP Anna Maria-Żukowska, who spearheaded the initiative, emphasized that Christmas is a time for togetherness, and the law should reflect the universal desire to be with loved ones during the holiday season. “Regardless of one’s religious beliefs, Christmas Eve holds a special place in people’s hearts, and it is a time when many want to honor family traditions,” she said during a recent press briefing.
While there has been support for the bill, including from President Andrzej Duda, who has pledged to sign it into law if passed, the proposal has divided the ruling coalition. Some members of centrist parties, including Poland 2050 (Renew) and the Polish People’s Party (PSL, EPP), have voiced concerns, citing potential economic repercussions. State Funds Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz (Poland 2050) warned that additional holidays could cost the economy billions of zlotys, though she acknowledged public interest in a free Christmas Eve.
The bill, which passed an initial vote in parliament last Friday, is now under review by parliamentary committees. Left-wing MPs are optimistic that the law could be enacted in time for Christmas 2024, though Parliamentary Speaker Szymon Hołownia (Poland 2050) described the likelihood of a swift passage as “moderate.”
In the wider European context, Christmas Eve is already a public holiday in several countries, including Bulgaria, Estonia, and Finland. In Poland, while the working day is typically shorter on Christmas Eve, many employees are still required to work, depending on their employer’s policies.
The debate over Christmas Eve as a public holiday follows similar discussions on other religious observances, such as Good Friday. Trade unions and opposition lawmakers, particularly from the conservative PiS (ECR), have long advocated for a shorter workday or holiday status for Good Friday, citing its importance in the Christian liturgical calendar.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether Christmas Eve will join the ranks of other established public holidays in Poland, and whether the government can balance public sentiment with the economic realities of additional time off.
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