Polish President Andrzej Duda has praised Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s newfound dedication to border security, while reminding people of Tusk’s previous disregard for border guards and military personnel.
“I am very happy that Prime Minister Donald Tusk has now become the defender of the Polish border,” Duda said in an interview with TV Trwam. “He now respects Polish border guards and soldiers who are on the border, because just a year ago he and his political camp treated these people in a scandalous and shameful way,” he added in what some could consider a backhanded compliment.
Duda’s comments come amid ongoing debates about Poland’s border security strategy and handling of migration issues. The president cited previous challenges he faced, notably in 2015 and 2016, to limit the forced relocation of migrants into Poland.
“We said that we do not want any forced relocation of migrants,” Duda explained, referencing the “very difficult” conversations he had with then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He claimed that Poland’s firm stance eventually garnered broader European support for a strict border protection policy.
When asked if he believed in the genuineness of Tusk’s changed stance on border protection, Duda replied, “That depends on the point of view.” He noted that recent legislative changes have been made to better protect soldiers and border officers from legal consequences related to enforcement measures, ensuring they can operate with fewer legal ambiguities while on duty.
“Certain rules must be followed,” Duda said, referencing Poland’s recent law which provides greater support and legal protections for soldiers. Passed on Aug. 14, the new legislation allows military personnel more independence in domestic operations and offers legal assistance if they face charges over their use of force.
The law was introduced after several heated exchanges at the border with Belarus made national headlines, including the fatal stabbing in May of a Polish soldier at the hands of a migrant who thrusted a knife through a gap in the steel border barrier and stabbed the soldier in the ribs.
Around the same time, several Polish soldiers were detained by military police after they fired warning shots at migrants who were aggressively attempting to breach the border from Belarus.
Duda acknowledged the importance of maintaining balance, adding that “certain rules related to humane treatment and the behavior of soldiers and officers must also be monitored.”
“Let’s not lean too much one way or the other. We need to follow the golden mean rule here,” Duda concluded, affirming his belief that Poland’s current border security approach strikes the appropriate balance for now.
