A session of the Piotrków Trybunalski City Council is currently underway. The meeting room is packed with residents protesting the establishment of a Foreigners’ Integration Centre (CIC) in their city. Members of parliament have also attended the session. One of the most outspoken speeches came from MP Anna Milczanowska (Law and Justice party), who fully shares the concerns of residents about the potential influx of migrants into Piotrków Trybunalski.
“For many months now, we’ve been observing what’s happening in Poland regarding migrants. They are being brought into our country in large numbers, including by the German police. We understand the concerns of Piotrków Trybunalski residents — we see what’s happening around the world and in Europe, the rapes and murders that are taking place,” said the Law and Justice parliamentarian. Milczanowska emphasized that she is not against helping people in need, but believes that such assistance should be provided in their place of origin. This kind of aid, she noted, is both more effective and less costly.
The MP also cited controversial data shared by prominent Polish economist Prof. Witold Modzelewski, who calculated that maintaining a single illegal migrant would cost the Polish state 150 złoty per day. “According to Prof. Modzelewski, this is a very conservative estimate — in fact, it may be even higher. But even at that rate, it amounts to 55,000 złoty per year to support one migrant. How does that compare to the 34,000 złoty a year received by a Polish pensioner after 40 years of work?” she asked rhetorically. Her speech was interrupted several times by applause from the residents attending the council session.