Most Poles fear immigration: poll

Over half of Poles fear increasing immigration to Poland, with men and the voters of the conservative ruling camp being the most worried, a recent poll conducted by the IBRiS institute for private Radio Zet broadcaster found.

Poland and Hungary are the only two EU countries opposing the provisional relocation deal agreed in the Council last month. They reject the rule of mandatory solidarity, which they believe to be a forceful “relocate-or-pay” system.

However, according to the survey, 53.1% of Poles have concerns regarding rising migration to Poland, according to the poll by the IBRiS institute for private Radio Zet broadcaster.

Such concerns are not shared by 45.1% of those surveyed, with 27.3% saying they are “definitely not” afraid of migrants, the survey also found.

Among those most concerned are the electorate of the ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, which has long been presenting migration from the Middle East and Africa as one of the main threats to Poland’s security, and male voters.

Fear of migrants from culturally and ethnically distant countries is felt among 83% of PiS voters surveyed (59% of men, 50% of women), compared to 35% of opposition voters.

With the upcoming general election, not only PiS and its junior coalition partner, the Sovereign Poland party, but also the opposition centre-liberal Civic Platform (PO) is featuring anti-immigration rhetoric in their electoral campaign.

Earlier this month, PO leader Donald Tusk sparked outrage in other opposition parties’ by tweeting a video in which he slammed the PiS government for letting in thousands of migrants “from Islamic countries.”

Last week, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced a referendum on the country’s participation in the EU’s migrant relocation scheme, with voting most likely taking place alongside the parliamentary elections in October or early November.

According to the newest poll, PiS has the best chance to secure its third consecutive term in power, with the support of 34.5% of Poles. PO comes second with 30.6% support.

(Aleksandra Krzysztoszek | EURACTIV.pl)