Poland’s ruling party, Law and Justice, is currently facing a visa bribery scandal that has raised questions about their stance on migration. Recent reports reveal that Polish consulates in Africa and Asia issued visas in exchange for bribes, which allowed migrants to enter the European Union and even use it as a gateway to the United States. The scandal comes just a month before the country’s parliamentary elections, causing significant damage to the reputation of Law and Justice.
The controversy intensified when a former deputy foreign minister, who was allegedly involved in the scandal, attempted suicide and was hospitalized. While Law and Justice has been leading the election race, it remains uncertain whether the scandal will impact their support. Opposition politicians have seized the opportunity to accuse the government of corruption and hypocrisy, citing their strong anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Critics argue that the governing party used the issue of immigration to instill fear in the Polish population, promising to keep them safe, while a corrupt cell within the diplomatic corps facilitated the entry of migrants into the EU. The corruption scandal has been described as the biggest in the country during the 21st century, posing a direct threat to the nation’s security.
Poland has been open to accepting Ukrainian refugees, particularly those who are white and Christian. However, Law and Justice officials have consistently portrayed Muslims and individuals from different cultures as a threat to Poland’s cultural identity and security.
According to media reports, approximately 250,000 visas were issued to migrants from Asia and Africa since 2021 in exchange for bribes of several thousand dollars. As a member of the EU’s visa-free zone, known as Schengen, once these migrants arrived in Poland, they could freely cross Europe’s borders.
Szymon Holownia, leader of a center-right opposition party, accused the governing party of jeopardizing the safety of millions of Poles by engaging in the reprehensible commercial practice of selling visas.
In response to the scandal, the Polish Foreign Ministry has dismissed an official involved in the irregularities and announced an audit of its consular department and all consular posts. The prosecutor general’s office charged seven individuals suspected of corrupt activities related to visa procedures, with three of them currently under temporary arrest. Government officials have acknowledged some level of wrongdoing.
The scandal has prompted Law and Justice to release new election videos on social media, attempting to link the leading opposition leader, Donald Tusk, to the situation due to his past roles in migration to Europe. Furthermore, a referendum on migration will be held concurrently with the parliamentary elections, posing questions to voters about supporting the acceptance of thousands of illegal immigrants from the Middle East and Africa as part of an EU relocation plan.
Law and Justice won power in 2015 on a strong anti-migrant platform during the European migration crisis. Party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski’s remarks about migrants bringing diseases and being parasites and protozoa received widespread criticism. The party has consistently refused to accept migrants and refugees, even constructing a steel wall on its border with Belarus to prevent their entry.
As the scandal unfolds, Law and Justice will face significant challenges in maintaining their support and regaining public trust. The outcome of the upcoming parliamentary elections will determine the party’s future and the impact of the visa bribery scandal on their political standing.
