Recent anti-immigrant rallies led by the far-right group Konfederacja across Poland have drawn significant crowds, highlighting a growing sentiment against migration. Key political figures are amplifying concerns over illegal immigration, although data does not support claims of a crisis.
Rise of Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in Poland: Rallies and Political Rhetoric
Rise of Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in Poland: Rallies and Political Rhetoric
Nationwide protests against illegal immigration have surged in Poland, organized by far-right factions amid claims of a migration crisis, despite contradicting official statistics.
Anti-immigrant demonstrations occurred in various Polish municipalities on Saturday, with many attracting hundreds of participants, while the largest rally in Katowice saw around 3,000 attendees. The events were organized primarily by the far-right political group Konfederacja, along with other nationalist organizations. Central to the protests was the assertion by Konfederacja and the opposition Law and Justice party that Poland is facing an imminent surge of illegal immigration. However, official data indicates that migration rates for this year are, in fact, lower compared to previous years.
Krzysztof Bosak, co-chairman of Konfederacja, spoke at the gathering in Bialystok, urging stricter immigration policies including deportations and an end to political correctness in order to safeguard national security. The demonstrations also included moments of remembrance, such as a minute of silence for a young Polish woman who was tragically killed in the central city of Torun.
In Warsaw, contrasting rallies took place just meters from each other, yet no significant violence was reported. Amid these events, authorities arrested a Venezuelan man in connection to the aforementioned murder. The ongoing discourse among right-wing politicians suggests a heightened anxiety over immigration, even as official numbers reflect a decline in migrant entries this year.
In light of this rising tension, Poland has recently enhanced border checks with Germany and Lithuania after Germany enacted measures to turn away asylum seekers. Earlier this year, Poland suspended the asylum rights for migrants entering via its border with Belarus, signaling a stricter approach to immigration policy in the region.
