Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has granted political asylum to Marcin Romanowski, a Polish Conservative opposition MP, accusing Poland’s “rainbow government” under Prime Minister Donald Tusk of persecuting its opponents. Orbán vowed to extend similar protection to any Polish opposition members who feel unjustly targeted.
Romanowski’s attorney, Bartosz Lewandowski, announced the decision on December 19, describing it as a response to actions by Poland’s government and prosecutors that endangered his client’s rights. Lewandowski stated, “This is the first case of a Polish politician receiving international protection since Poland regained independence in 1989.”
The case against Romanowski, a former deputy justice minister in the PiS-led government, includes allegations of embezzlement and involvement in an organized crime group. After losing his parliamentary immunity, he vanished following a Polish court’s decision to detain him for three months. Polish prosecutors later issued an international warrant for his arrest.
Romanowski defended his decision to seek asylum during an interview with wPolsce24, claiming the Polish judiciary and prosecution service have been co-opted by Tusk’s government to target political adversaries. “Representatives of opposition parties cannot be guaranteed a fair trial in current circumstances,” he argued. Romanowski also alleged that evidence against him had been fabricated.
Hungarian PM Orbán, addressing the matter on mandiner.hu, blasted the Tusk government for weaponizing the rule of law. “Polish liberals have invented a new concept for the rule of law which is based on using it to destroy political opponents,” Orbán said. He criticized Poland’s current leadership, claiming “patriots” had been replaced by a coalition hostile to Hungarian values.
Orbán further confirmed Hungary’s commitment to providing refuge to those facing political persecution, adding, “We will offer shelter to all who are facing political persecution in their own country.”
Polish officials responded with sharp criticism. Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski labeled Hungary’s move a “hostile action,” while Deputy Interior Minister Wiesław Szczepański indicated Poland would seek European Commission intervention. Potential legal action through the European Court of Justice could result in fines against Hungary for “rule of law violations.”
As relations between Hungary and Poland sour, Orbán’s decision underscores his defiance of EU criticism and his solidarity with conservative allies facing pressure from what he deems oppressive liberal governments.
