Poland : The political landscape is heating up as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zbigniew Rau, has accused Germany of interfering in the Polish election campaign amidst allegations surrounding a cash-for-visa scandal. The dispute escalated when German Chancellor Olaf Scholz demanded clarifications from Polish authorities and hinted at potential border checks related to the scandal.
Minister Rau Condemns German Interference
Minister Rau firmly asserted that Chancellor Scholz’s statements not only violated principles of sovereign equality but also appeared to be an attempt to meddle in Poland’s internal affairs and its ongoing electoral campaign. He urged Germany to refrain from making statements that could harm the bilateral relations between the two nations.
“The competence of the German Chancellor clearly does not concern the ongoing proceedings in Poland. Statements in this regard indicate an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Polish State and the ongoing electoral campaign in Poland,” emphasized Minister Rau.
The Polish election is scheduled for October 15, and in the lead-up to this crucial date, opposition parties have accused the government of allegedly granting hundreds of thousands of work visas in exchange for financial gains.
Allegations of Cash-for-Visa Scandal
Reports from the Polish opposition suggest that the number of individuals who obtained work visas in exchange for money could be as high as 250,000. These allegations have not only raised concerns within Poland but also prompted the attention of EU authorities.
Poland & Commission Spokesperson
The Commission Spokesperson for Home Affairs, Anitta Hipper, expressed her concern over the visa scandal, emphasizing that it raised questions about the compliance with EU law. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, has even written to Polish authorities requesting clarifications, with a deadline set for October 3.
Poland Ministry of Foreign Affairs Responds
In response to these allegations, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs vehemently denied any wrongdoing. They asserted that the majority of visas issued were to nationals of Ukraine and Belarus, and were done so in accordance with existing legal procedures.
“It is not true that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs imported hundreds of thousands of migrants from Muslim countries and Africa,” clarified Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Ministry also highlighted that over the past 30 months, Has issued more than two million short-term visas and 1.7 million visas to foreigners, rebutting any claims of irregularities at the EU level.
Also Read : Poland : Cash-for-Visas Scandal Controversy deepens