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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
World
RFI

Polish nationalists stage anti-immigration demonstration ahead of polls

A protester holds the Holy Cross as he and others take part in a march against immigration, in Warsaw, Poland May 10, 2025. REUTERS - Kacper Pempel

Several thousand people have demonstrated in Warsaw against illegal immigration and the pro-European government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a week before the EU member chooses a new president.

The protest, organised by the nationalist opposition, drew demonstrators from across Poland, who carried the red and white national flag and chanted slogans such as "no to immigration".

Immigration is a central issue in the central European country ahead of the election on 18 May.

Poland currently hosts around one million refugees from the war in neighbouring Ukraine, and has accused Russia and Belarus of orchestrating a wave of immigration into the European Union member.

The protesters made their way towards the seat of government in central Warsaw, chanting the name of nationalist presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki.

People hold a banner reading "No to Migration" as they take part in an anti-migration protest in Warsaw on May 10, 2025, a week ahead of the first round of the Polish presidential election. AFP - WOJTEK RADWANSKI

Andrzej Duda: Polish president loyal to ruling right-wing

Pro-European frontrunner

Nawrocki, 42, is a fan of US President Donald Trump and has the backing of the right-wing opposition Law and Justice party and outgoing President Andrzej Duda.

Duda has also voiced support for Trump.

Nawrocki is polling second in the presidential race, with around 25 percent support.

The frontrunner, Warsaw's pro-European Union Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, has the support of Tusk's Civic Coalition and is polling on 32 percent.

"Poland has to defend itself against illegal immigration. These migrants have their own countries. They should stay there," 66-year-old farmer Boguslaw Uchmanowicz told France's AFP news agency.

Despite massive support for Ukrainian refugees in the immediate aftermath of the Russian invasion, Poles are becoming less welcoming, France 24 reported. While candidates are surfing on an anti-Ukrainian sentiment, economists say migrant families have driven growth.

(with newswires)

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