Poland prepares alternative draft law to restrict aid to Ukrainians
Photo: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk said at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that he has no intention of arguing with President Karol Nawrocki over paying the 800+ benefit only to employed Ukrainians, Money.pl reports.
According to Tusk, the government itself proposed changes to this program, and the corresponding draft law is “practically ready.”
After President Nawrocki’s veto, many issues regarding support for Ukrainian citizens remain unresolved, in particular, the 800+ payments.
According to Money.pl, the government is working on an alternative solution, which involves returning to Rafał Trzaskowski’s campaign promise. According to the proposal, Ukrainians would receive assistance only if employed in Poland.
During the Cabinet meeting, Tusk noted that the President’s veto on the draft law, which regulates a broader range of issues, could have unpleasant consequences for Polish companies.
“We will not argue, because we have no intention of arguing, since we ourselves proposed changes to the
‘800+’ benefit,” the Prime Minister stressed.
Government sources report that Trzaskowski’s draft law will form the basis for further work on assistance to Ukrainians, in particular, taking into account important elements from the vetoed document.
Amendments and dialogue
Nawrocki’s circle hints that the presidential draft law is already in the Sejm.
It provides for maintaining the current level of support for Ukrainians until March 2026 and links the 800+ payments to parents’ employment and mandatory schooling of children in a Polish school.
“We have our draft law, let them work on it. If they submit amendments, of course, in consultation with us, we are ready for such dialogue,” a Presidential ally said.
Government spokesman Adam Szłapka added that the Council of Ministers will prepare a decision on Nawrocki’s veto before the next Sejm session on September 8, and in parallel, is working on linking social benefits for foreigners to employment in Poland.
Background
Polish President Karol Nawrocki earlier announced the preparation of changes to the 800+ program. Under it, families with children, including Ukrainian refugees, receive payments.
On August 25, Nawrocki vetoed the law on social assistance for unemployed Ukrainians. This decision may deprive them of the right to receive the popular benefit and free medical care.
In addition, since June 1, 2025, new rules of the 800+ program for Ukrainians came into force in Poland. From now on, in order to receive assistance, a child must attend a Polish school or kindergarten. The only exception is for those studying at home.
