The announcement had the effect of a bomb. On October 12, at the convention of his party, the Civic Coalition, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced his intention to temporarily suspend the right to asylum in his country. “The right to asylum is exploited against its own principle”declared the head of Government, referring to the new migratory routes established by the Russian and Belarusian regimes. “We will not implement any European idea if we are sure that it harms our interests. I am referring here to the pact on migration and asylum »adopted by the Twenty-Seven in May, after five years of negotiations.
The publication raised eyebrows on both sides of the political spectrum. It completely overshadowed the convention of the nationalist Law and Justice party (PiS), which was held on the same day, while Donald Tusk’s coalition partners, from the left united with the Third Way conservatives, claimed not to have been consulted. It also constituted a cold shower for the left fringe of the electorate, A few days before the first anniversary of the victorious legislative elections of October 15, 2023, which put an end to eight years of populist power.
Precisely on October 15, on the eve of a European summit dedicated to the migration issue, the government decided to present its new strategy in this area. Titled “Regain control, ensure security,” the thirty-five-page document makes security – internal and economic – the main objective. “Top priority”and says he wants “avoid repeating the mistakes made by Western European countries”.
Need for “urgent changes”
The key: a “precise regulation” migratory flows; to “selective focus” depending on the needs of the labor market; a criticism of European migration policy and international conventions, accused of “not being adapted to current realities” and requiring “urgent changes” ; restrictions on the distribution of student visas and access to nationality; the desire to implement a policy of integration and “special protection of vulnerable populations”.
The four left-wing ministers of Donald Tusk’s coalition voted against the approval of the document. The text also provoked the anger of organizations that defend human rights and protect migrants. About forty of them, including Amnesty International, sent a long letter to the government denouncing a “fear-based approach”, “does not meet international standards” and the Polish Constitution, and warn against the establishment of “Discriminatory, even racist procedures”.
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