Petition submitted to Polish Senate to make Christmas Eve public holiday
The annual debate over whether Christmas Eve should be recognised as a public holiday has resurfaced yet again. The Polish People's Party has long campaigned for this change but has so far been unable to secure a majority in the Sejm. Recently, a petition on the matter has been submitted to the Senate, and there is now a strong possibility that it will be approved.
With just over three months until Christmas Eve, the debate over making it a public holiday is gaining momentum again. The Polish People's Party (Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe, PSL) has repeatedly attempted to persuade other lawmakers of the proposal's merits, but so far without success. However, the possibility of introducing the change in 2024 has increased, thanks to a petition that has now reached the Senate. Politicians will soon consider whether to act on the proposal.
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Christmas Eve holds deep significance in Poland, marked by a solemn and elaborate family dinner. Loved ones gather, exchange wishes, and enjoy a meal featuring a dozen or more traditional dishes. For many, it is the most important day of the festive season, often regarded as more significant than Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Despite this, Christmas Eve is not currently a public holiday — but that could soon change.
Christmas Eve to become public holiday?
A petition proposing changes to Polish law has been submitted to the Senate, though the identity of its author remains unknown, as politicians have not disclosed this information. The proposal aims to make Christmas Eve a public holiday, noting that many citizens choose to take leave on 24 December anyway. Additionally, numerous companies allow their employees to leave work early on that day to prepare for the evening’s celebrations.
"Unfortunately, to ensure the smooth running of workplaces, not everyone who requests time off can be granted it, leading to unnecessary conflicts between employees. Moreover, those who do not apply for leave are often unfairly perceived as atheists," the petition states.
It is important to highlight that the petition does not call for an additional public holiday. Instead, it suggests a trade-off: Christmas Eve would become a public holiday, while Epiphany (6 January) would return to being a working day.
The petition's authors argue that Epiphany does not carry the same deep-rooted family traditions in Poland as Christmas Eve. According to Rzeczpospolita, the proposal has a reasonable chance of being accepted, with PSL senators hoping to rally support from their government coalition partners.
Source: Rzeczpospolita, radiozet.pl
