Polish opposition leader Jarosław Kaczyński has accused the Polish government of participating in “secret negotiations” with Germany regarding the return of migrants, a claim swiftly dismissed by Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak as “propaganda” from the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party.
During a press conference in Słubice on Saturday, Kaczyński, the leader of PiS, expressed outrage over reports in German media suggesting that migrants were being returned to Poland under unclear circumstances. According to Kaczyński, Polish authorities had failed to inform the public about these developments, learning instead from foreign sources.
“We are dealing with some kind of secret negotiations between Germany and certain countries that share a border with Germany,” Kaczyński said. “If these negotiations are actually happening and are being kept hidden from Polish society, then this is another scandal. Today, it seems like every day brings a new one.”
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The former deputy prime minister went further, claiming that the situation demonstrated Poland’s loss of sovereignty under the government of Donald Tusk, whom he accused of allowing Berlin to dictate terms.
“This is a shift in our country’s status as a sovereign state. The Germans, having their people in power here, think they can do whatever they want. Now, German police cars can even be seen deep inside our territory,” Kaczyński asserted.
Siemoniak: Migrant Returns Are Legal and Declining
In response, Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak, speaking at an event in Wałbrzych on Saturday, refuted Kaczyński’s claims, calling them baseless and politically motivated. He stated that the number of migrants returned from Germany to Poland under the Dublin Regulation and readmission agreements had actually decreased in 2024 compared to the previous year, when PiS was still in power.
“The number of returns was 20% higher in 2023 under PiS than it is now. We have introduced strict procedures, and border guards verify each case. PiS is using this issue for propaganda, trying to distract from its own failures, especially regarding visa policies,” Siemoniak said.
The minister emphasized that all migrant returns follow legal agreements and that PiS was merely attempting to stir up fears about Germany and immigration as part of its broader political narrative.
“Two things PiS uses to scare Poles—Germany and migrants—have conveniently merged into one issue during this election period,” he remarked.
Siemoniak also criticized temporary border controls between Germany and Poland, arguing that they primarily inconvenience local residents rather than effectively managing migration.
“We oppose border checks within the Schengen area. However, we are monitoring the situation and will respond accordingly, depending on the actions of the new German government,” he stated.
Background: Poland-Germany Migration Dispute
The debate over migrant returns comes amid broader tensions between Poland and Germany on migration policy. Under the EU’s Dublin Regulation, asylum seekers are supposed to apply for protection in the first EU country they enter. This means Germany can legally return migrants to Poland if there is evidence they initially crossed into the Schengen Area through Polish territory.
The issue of migration has been a frequent topic in Polish political discourse, particularly under PiS, which has built much of its rhetoric on resisting EU migration policies and portraying Germany as an overbearing influence in Polish affairs. Kaczyński’s recent comments align with his party’s longstanding stance of framing the Tusk government as subservient to Berlin.
With Poland’s opposition parties gearing up for presidential elections, the migrant issue is likely to remain a key point of contention between PiS and the ruling Civic Coalition.
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