During a press conference at the Polish-Belarusian border in Minkowice, Karol Nawrocki, civic candidate for President of Poland, praised the continuation of border security measures started in 2021. “I am very pleased that the current government, after learning from the actions of their predecessors, has joined the Eastern Shield initiative. Security should unite us; it should not bear political colors,” said Nawrocki. He also called on opposition leaders to apologize to Polish soldiers and officers for the criticism they faced during the border crisis.
Recalling the 2021 Crisis
Nawrocki reminded the public of the challenging moments from July 2021, when the first barrier was built along the border. He criticized opposition politicians and public figures who, in his words, “participated in a tragicomedy orchestrated by Aleksandr Lukashenko and Russian services.” He added, “173 MPs voted against the border security law. That is unacceptable because security must always come first.” Nawrocki also stressed that Poland’s border is not only national but also the eastern frontier of the European Union.
“I urge the government to apologize to Polish soldiers and officers for the words spoken in 2021. It’s time to admit mistakes and recognize their contributions to our safety,” Nawrocki declared. He also emphasized the importance of recognizing past successes, saying, “You’ve learned from your predecessors. Now, it’s time to mature further.”
Referendum on Migration
Nawrocki also proposed a national referendum on the EU’s migration pact, calling it harmful to Poland. “As a future president, I guarantee unilateral withdrawal from the pact and will support a referendum on illegal migration. Poles have the right to feel safe, and the state has the duty to ensure that,” he affirmed.