Poland’s Presidential Vote: Fear Wins Again

After 15 years living in Poland, I’ve learned one thing. If you want votes, talk about immigration. That tactic works every time here.

Back in 2015, when Syrian refugees were heading for Germany, the PiS party stoked public fear. It paid off at the polls. They stayed in power until a coalition finally pushed them out.

Now their unofficial pick, Karol Nawrocki, just won the presidency. Surprise — same playbook. He leaned heavily on anti-immigration and anti-EU talk to tip the scales.

It’s no secret: Poland offers few social benefits. Foreigners like me used to come for love, not opportunity. But lately, labor shortages mean more work visas. Around 10% of the workforce isn’t Polish anymore.

The biggest foreign groups? Ukrainians, Belarusians, Georgians — and rising numbers from India, Nepal, and Turkey.

Here’s the thing: in Poland, all parties play the anti-immigrant card. It wins votes because most people prefer it that way. Xenophobia is real, especially toward Africans, Arabs, and Asians.

While media paint Nawrocki’s win as conservatism, the truth’s simpler. Just over half of Poles support his anti-Europe, anti-immigration stance. And the pattern repeats.