Diplomatic spat erupts after Hungary gives asylum to Polish politician suspected of corruption
The Hindu
Poland and Hungary clash over asylum for wanted politician, sparking diplomatic tensions within the European Union.
Hungary has given political asylum to a Polish opposition politician who is wanted on suspicions of corruption, triggering a diplomatic spat that worsened on Friday (December 20, 2024).
Poland's government decried Hungary's decision as a “hostile act,” and Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that he was dismayed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's decision to shelter a man being sought on suspicions of defrauding the state of millions of zlotys.
The Polish Foreign Ministry said Friday morning that it has summoned its ambassador to Hungary back home for “indefinite consultations.” It also summoned the Hungarian ambassador in Warsaw to give him a protest note.
The matter centres on the case of a former deputy Justice Minister, Marcin Romanowski, but also reveals a clash over rule of law and democracy.
Mr. Tusk took office last year vowing to restore democratic norms and fight corruption that has prevailed under the national conservative government of Law and Justice.
As part of that effort, his government has been seeking to bring to justice some former government officials who allegedly broke the law during the eight-year rule of Law and Justice.
“I did not expect corrupt politicians escaping justice would be able to choose between [Belarusian President Alexander] Lukashenko and Mr. Orbán,” Mr. Tusk said on Friday.
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