Poles Afraid of Russian Investors

Most Poles (51%) are seriously worried about the investments of large Russian companies in the Polish economy. 45% of Poles consider Russian investments to be in some way dangerous for the Polish economy. Only 25% are unafraid of Russian investors according to a survey which was published yesterday in the newspaper Zhechpospolita. 1038 adults of different ages and backgrounds took part in the survey.

Asked what precise danger they fear from Russian investors, 60% replied that it might cause Polish economic dependence on Russia; 38% fear the laundering of "dirty money" in Poland. 32% admitted that most of all they fear the arrival of the Russian mafia and 32% asserted their fears of Russian political influence returning to Poland.

Today Russian investments in Poland total USD 1.5 billion. Most of this money (USD 1 billion) belongs to Gasprom, one of the co-owners of the enterprise Europolgas.