Poland's president vetoes refugee protections, Bandera ban planned

Polish President Karol Nawrocki on Monday vetoed a bill that would have extended temporary protection and state support for Ukrainian refugees, while unveiling plans to tighten access to child benefits and free healthcare for Ukrainians and to criminalize the public glorification of 20th century Ukrainian nationalist Stepan Bandera. The move has intensified a political clash between the conservative president and the centrist government and raised immediate concerns about legal gaps for refugees and Poland's continuing material support for Ukraine.

Nawrocki, who took office in August after a campaign pledging to put "Poles first," said family allowances and healthcare should be available only to Ukrainians who are legally employed in Poland. "I did not change my opinion and I intend to fulfil my obligations and I believe that family benefit should only be granted to those Ukrainians who make the effort to work in Poland, the same with healthcare," he told reporters. The monthly family benefit currently stands at about 800 zloty, roughly 219 euros, per child meeting formal criteria.

Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski warned the veto could have...