Poland Tightens Visa Regulations After Scandal

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced a temporary suspension of the right to asylum as part of a strategy to regain control over borders amid migration pressures from Belarus and Russia. This policy shift follows a damning report from the Supreme Audit Office, which revealed significant irregularities in the visa system under the previous Law and Justice (PiS) government, including instances of corruption where consuls were pressured to issue visas improperly. Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski emphasized that new regulations will eliminate opaque channels for visa issuance and tighten scrutiny, particularly for student visas. The report confirmed that Polish consulates were involved in a cash-for-visa scandal, leading to thousands of visas being issued inappropriately, including to Russian nationals. Tusk's government seeks EU recognition for its stringent immigration measures in light of these findings. The changes signify a broader effort to address past failures in visa management and enhance national security.