Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is embarking on controversial reforms concerning child benefits for immigrants and refugees, aimed at tightening eligibility under the government’s ‘Family 500+’ program. This proposal requires recipients to be employed in Poland, but it has sparked significant dissent among coalition partners, highlighting fractures within the current government.
At the forefront of this debate is Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, who is running for president on behalf of Tusk's Civic Platform (PO, EPP) party. He advocated for restricting benefits to migrants and refugees who both live and pay taxes within Poland during recent campaign rallies. Tusk has publicly backed this idea, saying the government is preparing concrete implementation plans to reshape the existing framework.
Currently, foreign residents—including those from the EU, Ukraine, Belarus, Vietnam, and Russia—enjoy eligibility for the 800 zloty (€191) monthly child benefit. This amount has seen adjustments since the inception of the program under the previous governing party, Law and Justice (PiS, ECR), which originally rolled out the initiative at 500 zloty. Notably, data from Rzeczpospolita newspaper indicates about 509,000 foreign children received support under this program as of 2024, representing nearly 70,000 fewer beneficiaries compared to previous years.
The present criteria stipulate only the necessity for foreign applicants to possess residence cards marking “access to the labor market” without requiring actual employment. Tusk's proposed legislation would change this, insisting each applicant must be formally employed to qualify for the benefits. The specifics of this legislative amendment, though, remain unclear as of now.
Interestingly enough, Tusk’s party appears to echo sentiments typically driven by right-wing factions, aligning them more closely with PiS and far-right Confederation party (PfE/ESN) than with its own coalition partners. These opposition parties have accused Trzaskowski of appropriative behavior—asserting he has plagiarized their earlier proposals without credit. Mariusz Błaszczak, the parliamentary leader of PiS, has been vocally opposed to Trzaskowski's recommendations, critiquing the opposition leader’s perceived duplicity and timing. He stated, "This is not an electoral move, but a consistent policy," thereby dismissing claims of hypocrisy.
Further complicity arises from the stance taken by coalition partners such as Poland 2050 (Renew) and the Left (S&D), who contest the push to limit child benefits. Michał Kobosko, MEP from Poland 2050, raised ethical concerns by asking, "Why should we take benefits away from those who need them most? This is a question of values.” He underscored the benefits of integrating Ukrainians within the labor force, noting their significant contributions to addressing labor shortages.
Similarly, the Left's Krzysztof Śmiszek argued, "The 800+ benefit should be independent of the child's nationality, as its abolition could lead to poverty,” highlighting the practical repercussions of limiting access to the benefits, especially for vulnerable families. He emphasized the high employment rates among Ukrainian refugees, advocating for compassion rather than condemnation.
The dynamics of public support significantly favor limiting benefits for foreign nationals. A recent poll conducted by United Surveys indicated overwhelming backing, with approximately 85.9% of Poles supporting the proposal to restrict the 800+ benefits to those working and paying taxes within the country, contrasted by only 8.4% opposed. This palpable public sentiment suggests potential electoral enclaves for Tusk’s government if aligned with popular opinion.
Though the proposal's fate remains uncertain due to discord within the ruling coalition, it embodies the tensions inherent within Polish politics, deftly negotiating between populist pressures and the practical need for social support systems. Amidst these discussions, Kobosko reflected thoughtfully on the challenges of presenting rational discourse against the wave of rising populism, asserting, "The voice of reason is important.”
The interplay among political will, public sentiment, and legislative action around child benefits not only highlights the immediate dynamics of Polish politics but also sets the stage for larger conversations concerning immigration, labor policies, and social justice. The outcome of this proposal will significantly shape future political landscapes as the government wrestles with internal divisions and external pressures.