A series of anti-immigration protests shook various cities in Poland, with the largest demonstration attracting around 3,000 participants in the southern city of Katowice. The events were organized by far-right political formations "Confederation" and other nationalist organizations.
Political leaders from "Confederation" and the opposition party "Law and Justice" issued sharp warnings about growing illegal migration, although official statistical data do not confirm their claims.
The co-chairman of "Confederation" Krzysztof Bosak emphasized the need to tighten border control, stating in the eastern city of Białystok that without decisive action against illegal immigration, security would gradually deteriorate.
During the protests, a minute of silence was observed in memory of a 24-year-old Polish woman who was killed in the central city of Toruń. The police subsequently arrested a Venezuelan citizen in connection with the crime.
In the capital Warsaw, opposite demonstrations were held simultaneously, which proceeded without violence. Right-wing political formations continue to claim that the country is facing the risk of a massive immigration wave.
Immigration in Poland increased over the last decade, but official data show that migration flows are lower compared to previous years. At the beginning of the month, Poland introduced border checks with neighboring Germany and Lithuania, after Berlin began returning asylum seekers.
Germany, in turn, introduced border controls with Poland and the Czech Republic in 2023, which further complicates the migration situation in the region.