Helping refugees – protests over system gaps
Janina Ochojska continues to harshly criticize the Polish government in an interview with wp.pl. The opposition member in parliament argued that Poland is not a humanitarian power, as some have claimed, and suggested that the government, like Russia, uses propaganda. She also hinted that Tusk’s Civic Platform is not ready for upcoming elections and placed a political stake in the debate.
Helping refugees – revolts, instead of the system
According to Ochojska, it is not the state or the government alone that has opened its doors to refugees from Ukraine, but citizens who welcomed them with open hearts and homes. She described Polish aid as fractured and stressed the need for ongoing systemic support, primarily from the state.
She acknowledged EU backing for Poland, noting that documents and data illustrate this assistance. If the government believes more aid is warranted, she suggested it should request it through proper channels.
Ochojska criticized the government for allegedly failing to collect refugee data and questioned the claim that the war came as a surprise, asserting that rulers had knowledge of it for months prior. She queried why a border visitor database was not created and argued that without volunteers independent of the state, the system cannot cope because the state did not prioritize it.
The MEP expressed strong frustration, asserting that the government would do little to counter xenophobia and hostility toward Ukrainians in Poland because it does not care.
The dystopian image of a xenophobic, racist threat sometimes flickers into view, she warned, noting that even fringe groups can be loud and dangerous.
She opposed border walls proposed along routes into Europe, arguing that funds should instead target issues like climate change that influence migration pressures.
Propaganda like in Russia?
When asked about the C40 Cities report calling for reduced meat and dairy consumption among other measures, Ochojska said the recommendations are based on scientific research, though some political actors use the topic for propaganda and to cast the opposition as weak on reform. She criticized PiS for turning such studies into a caricature of EU plans, arguing that they manipulate public perception.
Ochojska contended that Law and Justice leverages propaganda effectively, comparing it to tactics used in Moscow. She claimed the ruling party has a knack for delivering polished narratives.
In a broader reflection, she noted how PiS and the government in Warsaw present a single, consistent line, while the Civic Platform often appears fragmented with competing viewpoints. She suggested a lack of a unified, week-by-week strategy creating voter confusion.
Ochojska warned that the countdown to elections is accelerating, with opposition voters uncertain about PO’s messaging. She claimed that PiS appears to have a complete, ready-made campaign framework, whereas the opposition struggles to present a cohesive policy direction.
She expressed strong concern about the election outcome, stating she was very afraid of the results and reflecting on past electoral rhetoric that linked migration to national risk. She urged the opposition to confront this topic openly if they wish to compete credibly in the campaign season, indicating a willingness to push for a more direct dialogue on migration.
Attack on the border patrol
Ochojska again criticized border guards, arguing that fatalities and missing persons at the Polish-Belarusian border highlight serious failures. She described border protection as not primarily about building walls but about knowing who crosses the border, contending that the border guard presently lacks complete oversight.
She asserted that the border is not safe due to failures within the border guard and criticized how resources for emergency services are allocated, noting concerns about training and adherence to regulations. Her comments raised questions about which interests are being prioritized by public officials when border security and humanitarian needs intersect.
Her broader question remains: whose interests are served when officials criticized for border management view the situation through a partisan lens, especially given the European context and Poland’s position within it?
The dialogue continues as observers assess policy directions and political alignments ahead of the elections.