Poland's Migration Stance: Insights from the Two Presidential Contenders
Poland is set to hold a presidential runoff election in early June, with liberal-centrist Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski and conservative Karol Nawrocki competing for the position. Nawrocki, backed by the right-wing Law and Justice party, appears to be the more conservative candidate, while Trzaskowski is aligned with Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Civic Platform party.
Migration policy has emerged as a prominent campaign issue, particularly with regards to the war in Ukraine and Poland's border with Belarus. Accusations of migrant shepherding and violent repels have been made against Belarus, allegedly with the intent of destabilizing the EU. In response, Poland, under Prime Minister Tusk, suspended the right to asylum on its territory, a move that has drawn criticism from human rights groups but has been defended as necessary to secure the border.
In the upcoming election, Trzaskowski has tried to position himself as tough on immigration, in part to avoid being perceived as "soft" due to his liberal leanings. He has been critical of immigrant criminality, increased patrols in the capital during his tenure as mayor, and supported the suspension of asylum. Meanwhile, Nawrocki has been vocal about immigration being a major problem and has proposed deploying deportation centers for undocumented migrants.
Prior to the election, Trzaskowski expressed skepticism about the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which could require Poland to take more refugees from the Middle East and Africa. He stated that the pact would not be enforced and stressed that Poland would prioritize helping Ukrainians. In contrast, Nawrocki has framed the EU as a burden on member states, arguing that it encourages mass migration at the expense of the locals.
Both candidates' positions on immigration and asylum reflect their broader ideological stances. Trzaskowski appears supportive of EU cooperation and progressive social policies, while Nawrocki aligns with the Law and Justice party's nationalist narratives and conservative values. The outcome of the election could impact Poland's relationship with the EU and its approach to immigration and asylum policy.
In recent years, Poland has experienced a significant increase in immigration, particularly due to the conflict with Ukraine and the desire for work opportunities in Poland. Poland has consistently led the EU in the number of residence permits issued annually. The victor of the presidential election will play a crucial role in Prime Minister Tusk's legislative agenda, with the power to veto legislation. A win for Trzaskowski could expedite Tusk's agenda, while a victory for Nawrocki could hinder legislative progress. Migration policy could be a decisive issue in Poland's future direction.
In the approaching election, Poland's presidential candidates Trzaskowski and Nawrockiwki are advocating different immigration policies, with migration emerging as a crucial campaign topic, heavily influenced by the ongoing war in Ukraine and Poland's border with Belarus. Criticisms of migrant shepherding and violent repels by Belarus have been raised, allegedly to destabilize the EU, leading Poland, under Prime Minister Tusk, to suspend the right to asylum on its territory, an action that has garnered criticism from human rights groups but has been defended as necessary for border security.
The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which may require Poland to accept more refugees from the Middle East and Africa, has been met with skepticism by Trzaskowski, who has emphasized Poland's priority to aid Ukrainians. In contrast, Nawrocki has framed the EU as a burden on member states, suggesting that it incentivizes mass migration at the expense of locals. Their respective stances on immigration and asylum reflect their broader ideological differences, with Trzaskowski supporting EU cooperation and progressive social policies, while Nawrocki aligns with the Law and Justice party's nationalist narratives and conservative values. The outcome of the election could influence Poland's relationship with the EU and its immigration and asylum policy, as well as impact Prime Minister Tusk's legislative agenda, with the potential to either expedite or hinder progress.
