Poland’s Borders in Crisis: Illegal Crossings Surge Under Weak Left-Wing Leadership

Once a fortress of conservative strength under the Law and Justice (PiS) party, Poland now finds itself at the mercy of escalating chaos on its eastern frontier. The removal of PiS from power in 2024 created a vacuum that open-border radicals have eagerly exploited, emboldened by Belarus’s deliberate strategy of weaponizing migration. The sharp increase in illegal border crossings—a staggering 30,000 attempts from January to mid-December 2024—is a damning indictment of Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s inability to secure Poland’s sovereignty.

Under PiS, Poland stood as an unyielding defender of its borders. The construction of a five-meter-high border wall with electronic surveillance in 2022 was a testament to the nation’s resolve to keep its people safe. But the figures tell a sobering story: despite the wall, Tusk’s weak governance has allowed illegal attempts to skyrocket, nearly doubling since PiS left office.

Belarus’s Calculated Attack on Poland

At the heart of the crisis is Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s brazen use of migrants as pawns in a sinister form of “hybrid warfare.” By orchestrating waves of migrants to storm the Polish border, Lukashenko aims to destabilize Poland and pressure the European Union. His actions are not new—this strategy dates back to 2021 and 2022, when migrants from the Middle East and Africa were left stranded in no-man’s land, creating humanitarian crises and testing the resolve of European nations.

Lukashenko’s motives are clear, but the Tusk government’s response has been anything but. Instead of taking decisive action, Poland under Tusk has leaned on the EU for a “joint approach,” an approach that has repeatedly failed Eastern Europe in the face of such threats.

A Leadership in Crisis

The contrast between PiS and Tusk’s leadership could not be more clear. Under PiS, Poland’s borders were a line that could not be crossed—a symbol of national strength and self-reliance. The border wall, financed with Polish funds, stood as a physical and ideological barrier against illegal migration. PiS understood that a secure border is the cornerstone of national sovereignty and security.

Tusk’s government has shown a dangerous reliance on EU bureaucracy. Instead of fortifying the border and standing firm against Belarus, Tusk has opted for calls of “cooperation” within the EU—a hollow appeal in the face of a divided Union. Western European nations continue to preach humanitarianism, while Eastern European states like Poland and Lithuania bear the brunt of the migration crisis.

A Crisis of Sovereignty and Security

The surge in illegal crossings is more than a numbers game; it is a threat to Poland’s very existence. Every migrant pushed across the border by Lukashenko is a calculated affront to Poland’s independence. This is not just a migration issue; it is a geopolitical attack, and the Tusk government’s failure to recognize it as such is a dereliction of duty at best, and complicity at worst.

Even with the border wall and electronic surveillance in place, Poland needs a government willing to act decisively. The PiS government understood the stakes. The Tusk administration, on the other hand, has been content to issue platitudes while Poland’s border buckles under pressure.

The Humanitarian Smokescreen

Predictably, international human rights organizations have seized on the humanitarian aspect of the crisis, condemning Poland’s “pushbacks” and accusing it of violating asylum laws. But this narrative conveniently ignores the real culprits: Lukashenko’s regime and the EU’s ineffectiveness. Poland’s hardline strategy is not a choice; it is a necessity. Allowing unrestricted migration would not only undermine national security but also embolden Belarus to escalate its attacks.

The Way Forward: Restoring Strength

Poland’s current crisis is a wake-up call for the nation. It highlights the need for strong, unapologetic leadership that prioritizes sovereignty over EU appeasement. The PiS era proved that such leadership is possible and effective. To regain control, Poland must:

1. Strengthen Border Security: Expand border fortifications and deploy additional personnel to deter illegal crossings.
2. Reject EU Overreach: Reassert national control over border policies and reject EU-imposed migration quotas.
3. Expose Belarus: Mobilize international support to hold Lukashenko accountable for his hybrid warfare tactics.
4. Support Eastern Allies: Collaborate with neighboring countries like Lithuania and Latvia to present a united front against Belarusian aggression.

Poland’s sovereignty is under siege, not just from external forces like Belarus but also from internal weakness under the Tusk government. The people of Poland deserve a government that will stand firm in the face of these challenges, protect their borders, and uphold their national integrity. The time for compromise and complacency is over. Poland must reclaim its strength—or risk losing its sovereignty.