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| Polish president Mateusz Morawiecki |
The ruling party of Poland aims to gauge public opinion through a referendum on whether to accept "thousands of individuals from the Middle East and Africa" who have entered the country unlawfully as part of a larger European Union relocation initiative. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki revealed this proposition in a recent social media video. This move is being strategically employed by the conservative Law and Justice party to counter challenges posed by the opposition and to replicate a successful approach that led to their electoral victory in 2015.
Prime Minister Morawiecki unveiled his referendum plan via a video message, outlining the intention to integrate the migration issue into the upcoming general election campaign. The government's objective is to align the referendum with the scheduled fall parliamentary election set for October 15th.
The proposed question for the referendum would be: "Are you in favor of permitting the entry of numerous unauthorized immigrants from the Middle East and Africa under the mandatory relocation mechanism enforced by European bureaucratic authorities?" This decision showcases the ruling party's intent to gather public input on a crucial policy matter.
Securing Borders: EU Ministers Approve Blueprint for Managing Unauthorized Migration
European Union interior ministers gave the green light to a comprehensive strategy in June aimed at distributing the responsibility for handling unauthorized migrants who enter Europe, addressing a core issue that has fueled one of the bloc's most enduring political challenges.
The ministers backed a carefully crafted agreement that strikes a balance between nations where a significant influx of migrants occurs, obliging them to process and accommodate these individuals, and other member states, which are called upon to offer support, whether in financial terms or by providing refuge for displaced persons.
The asylum system across Europe crumbled eight years ago, overwhelmed by an influx of well over a million individuals, the majority escaping conflicts in Syria. This surge placed immense strain on reception capacities in countries like Greece and Italy, sparking one of the largest political crises within the EU.
Since that critical juncture, the 27 nations comprising the EU have engaged in prolonged debates regarding the distribution of responsibilities for unauthorized arrivals and the extent to which other members should be compelled to assist in managing the situation.
The Law and Justice party has found itself at odds with the European Union, a conflict largely stemming from the bloc's concerns about perceived erosion of democracy due to the Polish government's modifications to the judicial and media systems.
Presently, Brussels has initiated legal proceedings in response to a recently enacted law that establishes a special committee tasked with investigating "Russian influence" in Poland. This move has faced substantial criticism, with many viewing it as a thinly veiled maneuver to undermine opposition figures, notably figures like Donald Tusk, and effectively curtail their potential to attain positions of power.
