A sociologist from the Catholic University of Lublin, Prof. Arkadiusz Jablonski, offers a stark reflection: Poles are not driven by xenophobia or racial prejudice. Rather, they are concerned that the scenes seen in cities like Paris, Rome, or Stockholm could unfold in Poland, in Warsaw, where the actual presence of illegal migrants has reached a critical level or where the methods used to integrate newcomers have fallen short. The fear is a society facing unrest and a future that many residents do not want for themselves.
Poles are increasingly prioritizing actions over words
Recent research for wPolityce.pl shows that a clear majority of Poles, 58 percent, doubt that Donald Tusk, if re-elected as Prime Minister, would shield the country from mass migration from Muslim-majority nations. This sentiment feeds a skeptical view of the government’s ability to manage migration effectively. The study invites reflection on whether recent public stances and electoral signals from politicians associated with Tusk, including notable figures such as Janina Ochojska, have influenced public trust.
The question is raised again by the sociologist: has the public mood shifted toward judging leaders by their concrete actions rather than their rhetoric?
According to Prof. Jablonski, the impression that Tusk’s approach to illegal migration would be balanced or cautious appears less convincing in light of what some see as a mismatch between declared policy and on-the-ground realities. Voters remember promises from Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz and Donald Tusk, during his tenure as European Council president, about solidarity with other countries and the acceptance of migrants as stated in official communications. This memory shapes current expectations of how migration issues should be handled by Poland’s leaders.
In the view of the analyst, it is unlikely that the Civic Platform, under its current leadership, would adopt a notably different stance on migration. The discussion continues among observers and commentators, who frame the urgency of this topic as a test of political credibility and national responsibility.
The migration policy of the PO? The approach of admitting people with details to come later
There is a perception among many voters of the Civic Platform that, during periods of migration pressure, Polish policy seemed to favor admitting migrants while leaving questions about identity and outcome unresolved. Critics argue that those who disagreed with this approach faced accusations of racism or insensitivity.
Frontline voices in Parliament occasionally signaled a willingness to allow entry with the understanding that the specifics would be clarified subsequently. This pattern, some analysts argue, reflects a broader public sentiment that often views migration through the lens of practical labor needs rather than idealogical commitments. Prof. Jablonski notes that this line of thinking did not align with the expectations of a sizable portion of Polish society.
He reiterates the claim that Poles are not inherently xenophobic or prejudiced but oppose scenarios in which illegal migration leads to social strain and street-level confrontations. The critique focuses on policies that seem to understate local impacts or shift responsibility elsewhere, a debate that continues as Western European experiences with migration are recounted and compared to Polish realities.
Observers point to Western Europe today, where Brussels has revisited migrant-related questions after years of dormancy. The contrast between countries with severe challenges and those with lighter burdens highlights a recurring debate: does an open-door policy withstand the test of real-world consequences? The analysis suggests that many Poles view current proposals for distributing responsibility across EU members as flawed if they do not account for national differences in demographics, labor markets, and social cohesion.
The interlocutor notes that the Polish state, historically, has emphasized policies aimed at managing migration within its own borders and through transit arrangements, rather than importing large groups to fill labor gaps without a clear integration strategy. The sense that some political actors seem more concerned with EU assessments than with domestic outcomes fuels the conviction that national interests should lead any future policy shifts. In this frame, Polish public opinion expresses reservations about changes in policy that could repeat past mistakes or shift burdens in a way that does not reflect national priorities.
In the end, the sociologist concludes that the national stance will likely remain cautious and measured, stressing the need for policies that align with Poland’s challenges and the preferences of its people. This interpretation resonates with those who view migration as a complex issue demanding not only promises but proven results and practical planning.
(Source: wPolityce) — This framing reflects ongoing debates about migration and national policy directions in Poland and how leadership choices influence public trust. It captures a snapshot of prevailing attitudes while acknowledging that opinions may evolve with new information and experiences.