October 25, 2024 – The Polish government has expressed sharp opposition to the European Union’s new migration pact, warning that it poses a threat to national security. As the EU works toward overhauling its asylum and migration policies, Warsaw remains a vocal critic, claiming the plan risks undermining its sovereignty and public safety.
Polish officials argue that the pact’s mandatory migrant relocation mechanism could force Poland to accept individuals without proper security screenings. The government insists that imposing quotas on member states weakens national control over borders and immigration policy. “It is a security risk we cannot afford to take,” an official said, reiterating that decisions regarding migration should remain the sole responsibility of national governments.
The EU migration pact, championed by Brussels as a solution to irregular migration pressures, aims to distribute asylum seekers more evenly among member states. However, Poland and several other Eastern European countries, including Hungary, have criticized the plan as burdensome and a violation of their sovereignty.
Poland’s position reflects broader tensions within the EU between Western and Eastern member states over migration. In the run-up to national elections, Polish leaders have leaned heavily into migration concerns, which resonate with parts of the electorate that are wary of mass immigration.
The hardline stance also aligns Poland with other like-minded countries—such as Hungary—opposed to deeper EU integration in areas of migration policy. Both countries have pushed back against EU attempts to centralize migration management, citing concerns over national identity and security.
The opposition from Poland could complicate the EU’s efforts to finalize the migration reform. Brussels argues that the new pact is necessary to address challenges posed by the ongoing influx of migrants from conflict zones and regions affected by climate change. While some Western European countries support the pact, tensions with Eastern European states like Poland reflect a deepening divide within the bloc.
Despite growing pressure from Brussels to cooperate, Warsaw has so far remained firm, underscoring that it will not compromise on matters of national security. The disagreement highlights persistent fault lines in the EU’s approach to migration policy and raises concerns about the bloc’s ability to present a united front on major geopolitical issues.