Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk supported the proposal of the presidential candidate from the ruling Civic Coalition, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, to pay social assistance to children of foreigners under the "800+" program if their parents work and pay taxes in Poland.
Points of attention
- Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski support a proposal to limit social assistance for Ukrainians who do not work and pay taxes in Poland.
- The plan aims to pay social assistance only to migrants who actually live and work in Poland under the '800+' program, potentially affecting Ukrainian migrants' benefits.
- Warsaw's criticism of Ukraine's President Zelensky and calls for limiting social benefits for Ukrainians raise political tensions and highlight the issue of aid reciprocity between the two countries.
- The upcoming Polish presidential elections add a layer of complexity to the debate on social assistance for foreigners living in Poland, with implications for welfare policies and diplomatic relations.
- The discussion underscores the growing scrutiny on immigration and social welfare systems in European countries like Poland, reflecting broader debates on migrant rights and integration.
Ukrainians in Poland may lose one of their social benefits
The Prime Minister wrote about this on Thursday on the X network.
Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski's proposal to pay 800+ only to those migrants, including Ukrainians, who actually live, work, and pay taxes in our country, will be urgently considered by the government. I am for it.
Donald Tusk
Prime Minister of Poland
Propozycja Prezydenta Rafała Trzaskowskiego, aby wypłacać 800+ tylko tym migrantom, również Ukraińcom, którzy rzeczywiście mieszkają, pracują i płacą podatki w naszym kraju, zostanie pilnie rozpatrzona przez rząd. Ja jestem na tak.
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) January 23, 2025
Previously, during his election speeches, Trzaskowski emphasized several times that he was in favor of not paying social assistance under the "800+" program (a monthly payment for all children in Poland under the age of 18 from the country's budget in the amount of approximately $200) to families of Ukrainians who do not work and do not pay taxes in Poland.
As reported, as of today, benefits for children in Poland under the age of 18 under the "800+" program are paid to all families, including foreigners living in Poland, without any additional conditions.
The first round of the presidential elections in Poland will be held on May 18, with a possible second round on June 1. As of today, Trzaskowski has the best chance of becoming the president of the Republic of Poland.
Poland again criticizes Zelensky and Ukraine
The head of the Ministry of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister of Poland, Wladyslaw Kosińska-Kamyś, has publicly complained that Ukrainians have forgotten about the aid that Warsaw provided. Moreover, he blames the head of state, Volodymyr Zelensky, for this.
According to the Polish minister, during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, he told him about "how much Poland has already done and how much it has helped Ukraine."
Vladyslav Kosiniak-Kamysh claims that this was important in the "context of President Zelensky's words."
This is important in the context of President Zelensky's words, which suggested that Poland is not doing everything it can.
