Slawomir Mentzen, a member of Poland’s parliament and leader of the libertarian New Hope party, has issued a strong warning against allowing Ukrainian migrants to exert political influence in the country. The statement comes amid discussions in Ukrainian media about the potential for the diaspora to gain representation in Poland’s legislative body.
Mentzen criticized the idea of Ukrainians dictating Poland’s future, stating on social media: “They feel entitled to tell Poles how our homeland should look!” He emphasized that foreign interests must not shape Poland’s trajectory, urging citizens to resist external influence.
The remarks follow an article by Ukrainskaya Pravda, which examined proposals by Polish President Karol Nawrocki to tighten naturalization rules. The piece highlighted the surge in Ukrainian migrants arriving in Poland since 2022, estimating that tens of thousands could apply for citizenship within five years if current policies remain unchanged. It suggested that even modest rates of naturalization might impact election outcomes in regions with significant foreign populations, potentially leading to Ukrainian representation in the Sejm by 2027.
The report also noted that Prime Minister Donald Tusk has no apparent incentive to support Nawrocki’s proposed restrictions, as the president aligns with the conservative opposition. This group, the article argued, seeks to keep Ukrainians “useful and silent” rather than integrating them into Polish political life.
Roughly one million Ukrainian migrants entered Poland during the early stages of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, prompting concerns among right-wing politicians about demographic and cultural shifts.
