Tensions between Poland and Hungary are escalating after Hungary granted asylum to a former Polish MP from the previous right-wing populist Law and Justice (PiS) government, who is wanted by Poland on a European arrest warrant.
A Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Friday that the Polish ambassador in Budapest has been recalled to Warsaw indefinitely.
On Thursday, Hungary granted asylum to former Deputy Justice Minister Marcin Romanowski. A Warsaw court had previously approved the prosecutor’s request to issue a European arrest warrant against the 48-year-old.
In addition, the Hungarian ambassador has been summoned and presented with a note of protest.
Romanowski is being investigated by Polish prosecutors on 11 criminal charges, including suspected membership of a criminal organization.
As deputy justice minister, he is said to have channeled millions of zlotys from a fund for crime victims to projects that then-justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro thought would benefit the party.
Romanowski denies all allegations.
The national-conservative PiS governed Poland from 2015 to 2023 and is currently the largest opposition party.
During this period, the country significantly restructured its legal system, putting it on a collision course with the European Commission.
The current government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s center-left coalition, has been working to undo controversial judicial reforms implemented by the previous PiS government.
Tusk criticizes Orbán
Tusk sharply criticized Hungary and expressed dismay that corrupt officials evading prosecution could now choose between seeking protection from Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko or Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Speaking in Brussels, Tusk noted: “Those who have stolen, those who are corrupt, are seeking refuge in countries ruled by politicians like themselves.”
Romanowski, meanwhile, told Polish broadcaster TV Republika that he thinks the fact that Hungary has granted him asylum confirms that “we are facing political persecution in Poland.”
Prosecutors and judges in his home country are under political control, he said.
European Commission: Arrest warrants must be executed
A spokesperson for the European Commission declined to comment on the specific case, but stressed that EU member states are obliged to execute European arrest warrants.
In this case, a Hungarian judge would have to review the order to determine whether there are grounds to reject it. The final decision on the execution of the order must be made within 60 days.
Turning to the asylum issue, he said that all EU Member States maintain a high level of protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, making them all considered safe countries for asylum seekers.
An asylum application from a national of another EU member state can therefore only be accepted under very exceptional circumstances, the spokesperson said.
