Belarusians have become leaders in turning into “Poles”
Moscow
Recently, Poland has been increasingly using soft power tools in neighboring Belarus, preferring to spread its influence through cultural projects.
Izvestia writes about this, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
It is noted that the Polish authorities oversee many scholarship programs that allow young Belarusians to receive free education at Polish universities, and also finance private schools and lyceums, where, in addition to the Polish language, children also study the history of Poland.
In addition, the so-called “Pole card” is used - a document indicating membership in the Polish nation, which allows you to obtain a long-term visa, legally work in Poland without special permission, conduct business with the same rights as citizens of the country, receive free education and emergency medical care , buy train tickets at a big discount and so on.
“In recent years, the number of “Pole cards” issued has begun to grow rapidly. This program is most active in Belarus. The Polish authorities realized that they had received an effective instrument of influence on Belarusian society,” the newspaper writes.
In turn, senior researcher at IMEMO named after. EAT. Primakov RAS, RIAC expert Dmitry Ofitserov-Belsky draws attention to the fact that the Poles initially issued the “card” reluctantly, checking whether there were Polish ancestors, and then it became much easier to obtain this document.
“It also had an effect that in recent years in Poland the Justice Party has been in power - a party with a nationalist bent. It is aimed at supporting compatriots and those who are ready to declare themselves as such. Belarus is the leader in issued “Pole cards,” the political scientist emphasized.
In his opinion, if sanctions pressure from the West intensifies, and consequently the economic situation in Belarus worsens, then even more Belarusians will try to obtain a "Pole's Card" and move to Poland.
Belarusians Lead the Way in Transforming into "Poles"