On Monday, August 25, Polish President Karol Nawrocki vetoed a law that would have granted monthly payments and free medical care to Ukrainians under temporary protection.
The veto concerns the “Rodzina 800+” program, which provides a monthly allowance of 800 zlotys (around 9,000 UAH) per child. Previously, the payment was 500 zlotys, but in August 2024, then-President Andrzej Duda signed a law increasing the benefit to 800 zlotys.
Nawrocki explained his decision by stating that state support should only be available to Ukrainians officially employed in Poland.
“I will not change my opinion and believe that the 800+ benefit should be available only to Ukrainians who make an effort to work in Poland,” the president said, as quoted by RMF24.
In his Facebook statement, Nawrocki emphasized that Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government “grants Ukrainian refugees more privileges than Polish citizens,” and that the veto will ensure that Poles’ needs come first.
“Poland first, Poles first,” the president declared.
Other Statements by Nawrocki
According to PAP, the Polish president also announced amendments to the criminal code that would equate the “Bandera symbol” with Nazi and communist symbols.
Context
- Since the beginning of the full-scale war, all Ukrainian refugees with PESEL UKR status were entitled to the “500+” and later the “800+” benefits.
- As of February 2025, 1.5 million Ukrainians (around 7% of the country’s population) live in Poland.
- Poland accepted the largest number of Ukrainian refugees in Europe and has been actively supporting Ukraine with weapons.
