Tusk: we are regaining control over Poland's borders

On Wednesday, the government discussed the package of planned changes related to migration policy. After the meeting, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the government had adopted "a package of laws that will be proposed to the Sejm."

"I hope that a majority in the Sejm, despite objections from both PiS and the Left, will be found in order to pass, first and foremost, new asylum laws," Tusk said.

He explained that no one intends to take away the right to asylum, but "the right to apply for asylum is currently being used primarily at the border with Belarus by the enemies of the Polish state."

"When I proposed temporarily suspending the acceptance of asylum applications in a specific territory, there was a huge uproar, but after a few days, it turned out that this proposal was not only absolutely accepted by people in Poland ... but also in Europe, it was received not only with satisfaction but also with the attitude that countries would eagerly follow this example," Tusk said.

The Prime Minister assessed that changes in migration policy represent a "historic moment." "Now the key question is whether there will be a majority (in the Sejm - ed.) and whether the president will veto it," he added.

The key change in the package related to the migration strategy concerns limiting the right to submit an application for international protection. According to the proposal, the period of the restriction cannot exceed 60 days. Its extension will be possible, but also for no longer than 60 days, with the consent of the Sejm.

Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X: "We are regaining control over Poland's borders! The government will adopt new rules today regarding visas and asylum applications. Asylum law will no longer be used for illegal border crossings into Poland. I hope that PiS and the President will change their minds and will not block the bill."

On October 15, the government adopted the migration strategy document titled Regaining Control. Ensuring Security. A Comprehensive and Responsible Migration Strategy for Poland for 2025-2030. The strategy includes, among other things, provisions allowing for the temporary and territorial suspension of the right to accept asylum applications in the event of a threat to the country's stability caused by an influx of immigrants.

The approved document proposes changes to procedures so that they cannot be exploited in hybrid warfare, while also considering the humanitarian aspect of the situation at Poland's borders.

Donald Tusk presented the migration strategy at the October meeting of the European Union Council. The Council expressed solidarity with Poland and other countries experiencing the instrumentalization of migration.