The event was intended to express opposition to the European Union’s migration policy, particularly the so-called migration pact and the forced relocation of refugees.
The politicians stressed that, in their view, the EU’s current policy poses a threat to Poland’s security. They also called for permanent controls to be introduced on the border with Germany—following the example of those introduced by the German government in 2023.
It is worth noting, however, that introducing such controls could significantly affect the daily lives of people living in the border area. Hundreds of people cross the bridge in Zgorzelec every day—to get to work, school or go shopping. Additional checks could mean longer travel times, queues and greater difficulties for local communities that have benefited from open borders within the Schengen Area for years.
The European Commission is responding cautiously to Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s declaration that Poland will not accept migrants returned from other EU countries. Although under the so-called Dublin Regulation Poland should do so, the EC acknowledges that the country is in a special situation—it is dealing with migration on its eastern border, which is being used by Russia and Belarus as a tool of pressure.
Prime Minister Tusk argues that Poland is already shouldering enormous burdens related to the war in Ukraine and cannot accept additional migrants. The EC nevertheless reminds that all member states are currently obliged to comply with the applicable asylum rules, although Poland formally faces no immediate consequences for failing to do so. In the future, Brussels’ tone toward Warsaw may become more severe.