Poland is set to seek public input on the European Union’s (EU) solidarity mechanism, which entails the resettlement of immigrants in member countries. Additionally, Poland is proposing that countries refusing to accept immigrants contribute 20,000 euros per person.
President Andrzej Duda of Poland has granted approval for an amendment to the law, permitting a referendum on this matter during the upcoming general elections scheduled for October 15. The referendum will pose the following question to citizens: “Do you endorse the admission of thousands of undocumented immigrants from the Middle East and Africa via the mandatory resettlement mechanism imposed by the European bureaucracy?”
The referendum will also encompass other questions, including “Do you support the removal of barriers set by Poland on the Belarusian border?” and “Do you support reinstating the retirement age to 67?” Furthermore, it will inquire about public sentiment regarding the sale of state-owned assets to foreign entities, which may result in Poles relinquishing control over critical sectors of the economy.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki of Poland conveyed in late June that Europe was facing an ongoing security threat and that the safety of European continent residents was at risk. He affirmed his government’s disapproval of the plan for compulsory immigrant resettlement.
Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who leads the ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS), proposed conducting a referendum in defiance of the EU’s imposition. Hungary also joins Poland as another nation opposing the EU’s plan.