Poland’s conservative opposition has rallied behind Hungary’s decision to grant asylum to former Deputy Justice Minister Marcin Romanowski, accusing Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government of trampling on the rule of law for political revenge.
Opposition leaders hailed Budapest’s move as a necessary response to the Polish government’s alleged abuse of power, claiming that Romanowski’s prosecution is driven by partisan motives rather than justice.
Former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro criticized the Tusk administration for orchestrating what he described as a politically motivated campaign against Romanowski. He pointed to alleged illegal actions by Poland’s judiciary, including the politically driven dismissal of key legal officials, which he argued stripped Romanowski of the right to a fair trial. “Hungary’s decision exposes the Tusk government’s disregard for the rule of law and its use of justice as a weapon against political opponents,” Ziobro declared.
“The mask of neo-rule of law has fallen. Poland is officially like Belarus,” Ziobro added.
The Hungarian government’s decision to grant Romanowski asylum was announced by his lawyer, Bartosz Lewandowski, who cited violations of his client’s rights and freedoms by the Polish government. Hungary granted the protection under its Asylum Act of 2007, marking the first time an EU member state has offered asylum to a Polish politician since the fall of communism.
🇵🇱🔥🇭🇺Tensions between Poland and Hungary boil over, as Warsaw threatens EC proceedings against Budapest.
The Polish Foreign Ministry has summoned the Hungarian ambassador in Warsaw over the asylum granted to MP Marcin Romanowski.
The ministry has called it "an act unfriendly… pic.twitter.com/Ob7SzvCKv0
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) December 20, 2024Lewandowski argued that Romanowski faced politically motivated charges of corruption and misuse of public funds in Poland. He claimed that evidence presented to Hungarian authorities demonstrated undue influence by Polish politicians on the judiciary, compromising Romanowski’s chances of a fair trial.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán defended his government’s decision as a legal matter, distancing himself from direct involvement. “This is a legal process, not a political decision,” Orbán said in Brussels, responding to criticism from Polish officials. He highlighted tensions with Poland stemming from recent remarks by Polish Justice Minister Adam Bodnar, who called for regime change in Hungary.
Orbán noted that Bodnar’s statements had worsened bilateral relations, which were already strained. “Relations between our countries are not in a good place, especially after the Polish justice minister’s brutal attack on Hungary two days ago,” he remarked.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government reacted sharply to Hungary’s decision, labeling it a “hostile act” that undermines European solidarity. “I did not expect that corrupt politicians would have a choice between Lukashenko and Orbán,” he quipped.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced plans to summon the Hungarian ambassador for an explanation, while Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna vowed decisive action in response.
Justice Minister Bodnar accused Hungary of sheltering a fugitive wanted under a European Arrest Warrant and claimed that Romanowski’s asylum undermines the principles of EU cooperation. He had called on the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to revoke Romanowski’s parliamentary immunity, which it did in October, even though rulings by both a district and regional court in Poland had previously upheld his immunity.
Poland’s conservative opposition argued that the government’s pursuit of Romanowski reflects a broader misuse of power to target political opponents. “The Tusk administration’s actions against Romanowski are a blatant violation of basic legal standards and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” Ziobro said. He accused the government of creating a politically influenced judicial system to silence dissenting voices.
Ziobro highlighted specific violations, including the forced dismissal of the National Prosecutor, which he claimed left Romanowski without legal recourse. “This is not just about one man; it’s about restoring basic legal order for all Poles,” he argued, calling Hungary’s decision a necessary intervention.
Hungary’s decision to grant asylum to Romanowski has deepened fractures within the EU, particularly between Budapest and Warsaw, two nations once united by shared conservative values. While Poland’s government views the asylum as an affront, its opposition sees it as a critical check against political overreach.
