Polish President Karol Nawrocki has said that he agreed to sign the updated version of the law on payments for Ukrainians only after the amendments, which, according to him, “eliminate unfair provisions”.
The initial version of the document provided for the possibility of receiving the 800+ payment even by Ukrainian citizens who do not work in Poland. Navrotsky called such a decision “unfair to Poles” and refused to put his signature.
The corrected version, which partially took into account his remarks, was eventually approved by the president. At the same time, he emphasised that” this is the last time he supports such legislative initiatives”.
“This is the second time I sign such a law, because I don’t want to be a president of chaos. But I emphasise that this is the last time. If the prime minister and the parliamentary majority are watching us, I would like to remind you that I signed the law on assistance to Ukrainians for the last time,” Navrotskyy said.
The head of state emphasised that after three years of war, Ukrainians should receive support under the same conditions as other national minorities in Poland. He said he expected that all subsequent decisions would be “realistic and fair” and not create additional tensions.
On 17 September, the Polish Senate voted in favour of a series of changes to a special law for Ukrainian refugees, as well as on “800+” aid payments for foreigners, including migrants from Ukraine. The bill was drafted after President Karol Nawrocki vetoed an amendment to the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens at the end of August.