Poland's PiS courts far-right by proposing Ukrainian deportations

Poland's ruling party, PiS, has outlined a proposed tightening of migration policies, focusing on deportations as a tool to maintain societal homogeneity. This move is seen as a strategic attempt to capitalize on declining positive sentiment towards Ukrainians and broader anxieties about illegal immigration, aiming to score political points by leveraging public fear. The strategy echoes Machiavelli's assertion that fear is a more effective tool of governance than love.

However, this plan faces significant weaknesses. Critics point out that PiS has been pursuing a similar line for about a year, fronted by politicians like Przemysław Czarnek and Patryk Jaki, with little effect beyond internal party division. The attempt to appeal to voters on the right by adopting a more radical stance is considered a "precarious" concept, as there is little political ground to the right of figures like Grzegorz Braun, a prominent far-right politician. PiS's attempts to occupy this space have consistently led to negative outcomes.

Furthermore, Jarosław Kaczyński, PiS's leader, is accused of repeating a mistake made by Donald Tusk and the Civic Platform (KO) during the presidential election. Tusk's attempt to portray Rafał Trzaskowski as a conservative backfired, ultimately benefiting a more authentic conservative candidate. Similarly, PiS's adoption of a radical discourse is seen as less credible, especially since the party supported Ukraine, remained within the EU, and facilitated the immigration of hundreds of thousands of workers during its eight years in power. This history undermines their claim to be a radical force, especially when compared to Braun, who can present himself as a more genuine radical voice, unburdened by past governance decisions.