Why did the president veto the act on the Lower Oder Valley National Park?

The creation of the Lower Oder Valley National Park seemed already decided, bringing joy to the residents of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship and nature enthusiasts. However, on Friday, November 7, 2025, President Karol Nawrocki refused to sign the act establishing what would have been the first national park in Poland in 24 years.

Justification of the veto

Let us recall that the act of October 17, 2025, establishing the new national park, had been adopted by both the Sejm and the Senate of the Republic of Poland. As we wrote in Wodne Sprawy: “It’s certain now.” The strong public support for the idea was confirmed by a public opinion survey conducted by the Institute of Environmental Protection – National Research Institute (IOŚ-PIB), showing that as many as 70 percent of respondents supported the creation of the Lower Oder Valley National Park.

According to information published on the official website of the President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki vetoed the act due to concerns about hampering the region’s economic development. The justification states that no analysis was conducted on the potential impact on infrastructure investments in the region, even though for some municipalities the park’s establishment could mean real financial losses. The president also pointed out the lack of a local referendum and insufficient expert consultations.

The president’s spokesperson, Rafał Leśkiewicz, elaborated on the matter in an interview with Telewizja Republika, stating that the creation of the park could lead to the termination of transport along the Oder River. Speculation arose that Szczecin could be cut off from freight transfer, and the river might no longer serve the industrial needs of the port.

The presidential office accused the government of acting under pressure from German activists and of disregarding the objections of residents of Gryfino. It also questioned the data on the presence of rare and protected species in the Międzyodrze area, claiming it to be outdated and unverified.

What’s next? The government does not give up

The presidential veto means that the act returns to the Sejm, where it will be reconsidered in light of the objections raised.

The Ministry of Climate and Environment responded firmly to the president’s decision. Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska pointed out that the arguments presented in the veto justification are inconsistent with the facts and mislead the public. She emphasized that the new park was intended as a driver of development for the region, and navigation on the Oder River was to continue – the relevant permits had already been issued to the State Water Management Authority, Wody Polskie.

The minister also announced that the government had prepared a SWOT analysis for the creation of the park, and the claim of potential financial losses was unfounded. The Międzyodrze area is a peatland and floodplain where nothing other than a park or nature reserve could ever be built. Yet there are obvious benefits for everyone: municipalities were to receive an ecological subsidy, fishermen support for maintaining channels in good condition, residents a new education center and more tourists, and nature – biodiversity protection, the minister said.

The Ministry of Climate and Environment also rejects the allegation of extreme opinions among residents. At the same time, the ministry declares that it will continue to pursue active protection of the Międzyodrze area using other available means. Minister Hennig-Kloska assured on her Facebook profile: This decision will not stop us, I promise! We will continue to support nature conservation. Together with local governments, we are beginning work on an alternative solution.