Poland Deploys 5,000 Soldiers to Borders Amid Row with Germany Over Refugee Pushbacks

Poland's deployment of 5,000 soldiers to its borders with Germany and Lithuania has escalated tensions between the two countries, with Poland accusing Germany of unjustly pushing back refugees. The move by Poland's general staff is part of a broader effort to limit the flow of migrants between the two countries, which have been at odds over migration policies. Germany has started a pushback policy, refusing asylum to refugees who have also made applications to other countries, sparking a public backlash in Poland.

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has criticized Germany's approach, saying it places excessive pressure on Poland. The Polish government has argued that the numbers of migrants being pushed back are limited, but nationalist and far-right opposition parties have accused the government of accepting numerous illegal migrants. Germany's interior minister has suggested the two countries could collaborate on joint border control, but Poland has rejected this idea.

The deployment of Polish soldiers has been accompanied by the use of surveillance drones, which will monitor the area. This has led to criticism from Poland's opposition parties, who accuse the government of using excessive force. A young Afghan man was recently forced to be returned to Germany twice by protesters aligned with hard-right groups who have set up "citizen patrols" to stop refugees from being returned. The Polish government has condemned these actions, saying they are illegal.

In Poland, protests have been held at the border by groups aligned with hard-right groups, while self-styled "citizen patrols" have forcibly stopped refugees from being returned. The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has told protesters to go home, saying their actions are against the law. The government has also accused the opposition parties of trying to paralyze the border guard.

Key Takeaways:

• Poland has deployed 5,000 soldiers to its borders with Germany and Lithuania to limit the flow of refugees.
• Germany has introduced a pushback policy, refusing asylum to refugees who have also made applications to other countries.
• The Polish government has accused Germany of unjustly pushing back refugees, placing excessive pressure on Poland.
• Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has criticized Germany's approach to migrants at its own frontier.
• Nationalist and far-right opposition parties in Poland have accused the government of accepting numerous illegal migrants.
• Protesters aligned with hard-right groups have set up "citizen patrols" to forcibly stop refugees from being returned to Germany.

Statistics:

• 5,000 soldiers have been deployed to Poland's borders with Germany and Lithuania.
• The number of refugees arriving in Germany has fallen by 60 per cent in a year, the lowest since the Covid-19 lockdowns.
• The Polish government has argued that the numbers of migrants being pushed back are limited.
• Germany has started the so-called pushbacks, which have resulted in a significant reduction in the number of refugees arriving in Germany.

Sources:

• Marcin Bielecki/EPA/Shutterstock
• Patrick Pleul / Avalon
• European Pressphoto Agency (EPA)