Polish President Andrzej Duda has strongly criticised the government’s proposal to temporarily suspend the right to asylum for irregular migrants, describing it as a “fatal mistake.” The President voiced his disapproval during a speech in parliament, stating that the plan would deny safe haven to Belarusians and Russians who are fleeing persecution in their home countries.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk responded by assuring that the measure would not affect dissidents seeking refuge. The government’s decision to implement this controversial plan aims to bolster the protection of Poland’s and the European Union’s eastern border amid significant pressure from unauthorised migrants originating from Africa and the Middle East. The EU has attributed this migration pressure to the support provided by Minsk and Moscow as part of a hybrid war against the European bloc.
Tusk defended the plan, emphasising that Poland must not remain passive in the face of such challenges. The proposed policy intends to signal that Poland is not an easy route for asylum seekers or visa-holders aiming to enter the EU. It outlines provisions for the temporary suspension of asylum applications in response to a potential threat of destabilisation due to migration influx on a specified territory.
In several instances, irregular migrants lodge asylum claims in Poland but proceed to travel through the EU’s visa-free zone to reach destinations like Germany and other Western European nations before their applications are processed. Despite facing opposition from four left-wing ministers within Tusk’s coalition government, the plan must still secure approval from parliament and President Duda to be implemented. Duda has been clear in his refusal to endorse the proposal.
In an emotionally charged address, President Duda expressed his dismay at the plan, criticising the government’s response to the border situation influenced by Russia and Belarus. The issue of migration in Poland, along with the proposed plan, is expected to be a focal point of discussion during the upcoming EU summit in Brussels.
As tensions surrounding migration and border security escalate, the diverging views among Polish leaders highlight the complex challenges faced by the country. The decisions made in the coming days will not only shape Poland’s approach to asylum and migration but also have broader implications for the European Union as a whole.