In an interview with Mandiner, Minister Gergely Gulyás, head of the Prime Minister's Office, criticized Poland's post-election governance under the Tusk government, highlighting violations of judicial independence and political rights. He also addressed Hungary's decision to grant asylum to former Polish Deputy Minister Marcin Romanowski amidst escalating political tensions.
Minister Gulyás has called attention to what he describes as a "rule of law crisis" in Poland following the recent elections. "The actions of the Tusk government have created a situation where the Polish government disregards its constitutional court’s rulings and uses criminal law as a tool against political opponents," he stated. This, he argues, highlights double standards in European rule of law debates.
"We avoid interfering in other nations' politics, but it is evident that the judicial independence and rights of opposition figures in Poland are under threat," Gulyás added.
Specifically, Gulyás noted instances where the Polish government has ignored judicial rulings, including unlawfully dismissing and replacing state prosecutors. "Even the Polish Supreme Court found these actions to be illegal, but the government has chosen to proceed regardless," he pointed out.
Regarding Hungary’s decision to grant asylum to Marcin Romanowski, Gulyás confirmed: "He sought and received political asylum in accordance with both Hungarian and EU laws." Romanowski, formerly Poland’s deputy minister of justice, was arrested despite having immunity as a member of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly. "This arrest, declared unlawful by Polish courts, raises serious concerns about fair treatment and the absence of political bias in Polish legal proceedings," Gulyás emphasized.
When asked about potential diplomatic repercussions, Gulyás reiterated Hungary’s principled stance: "Since 2015, Hungary has stood firm in granting protection to those fleeing political persecution, whether they are former officials like Nikola Gruevski or now Romanowski." He stressed that asylum decisions prioritize individual rights over political pressure. "This is the difference between protecting refugees and managing migration," he clarified.
Gulyás concluded by expressing concern about Poland’s trajectory under its current leadership: "While Hungary remains committed to sovereignty and fair judicial processes, it’s alarming to see a neighbor faltering on these principles. Still, we will stand by our commitment to justice and the protection of rights."