1987 Polish political and economic reforms referendum

A referendum on political and economic reforms was held in Poland on 29 November 1987.[1] The government's aim in holding the referendum was to obtain a mandate for difficult economic and political reforms. Around a third of eligible voters did not participate, defying the regime.[2] Only 44% of Poland's 26 million eligible voters voted yes to the question on economic reform, and 46% voted yes to the second question on "democratisation" in Poland. Even though a majority of the votes cast supported the propositions, according to the rules of the referendum the majority of eligible voters had to vote yes in order for the referendum to pass. The resulting failure of the referendum was unprecedented, as it was the first time that Communist authorities in Eastern Europe had lost a vote.[2]

Questions

Voters were presented with two questions:[3]

1. Are you for the support of radical economic reform?
2. Are you for a deep democratisation of the political life?

The first proposal would allow the government to carry out the "full government program for radical economic recovery," aimed at "improving living conditions," on the understanding that this would require a "difficult" two-to-three-year period of "rapid changes." The second would lead to the introduction a new "Polish model" for "democratising political life, aimed at strengthening self-government, extending the rights of citizens and increasing their participation" in running the country.[4]

Results

Question I

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	11,601,975	66.04
No	4,866,207	27.70
Blank votes	1,100,781	6.27
Valid votes	17,568,963	99.61
Invalid votes	69,520	0.39
Total votes	17,638,483	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	26,201,169	67.32
Majority required	13,100,585
Source: Central Committee for Referendum

Question II

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	12,127,621	69.03
No	4,317,401	24.57
Blank votes	1,123,941	6.40
Valid votes	17,568,963	99.61
Invalid votes	69,520	0.39
Total votes	17,638,483	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	26,201,169	67.32
Majority required	13,100,585
Source: Central Committee for Referendum

References

1. Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1491 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
2. Poland Thanks for Asking, but Time, 14 December 1987
3. Nohlen & Stöver, p1498
4. Abraham Brumberg Poland: The New Opposition The New York Review of Books, Volume 35, Number 2, 18 February 1988