Poland has barred Hungary’s ambassador from attending the official inauguration gala of its EU Council presidency, citing a diplomatic rift over Budapest’s decision to grant political asylum to a fugitive Polish lawmaker. The event, held at Warsaw’s Grand Theatre, marked the start of Poland’s six-month tenure leading the European Union’s rotating presidency.
The decision, announced by Deputy Minister for European Affairs Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, reflects a growing strain in relations between the two countries.
“When we invited guests to our gala almost a month ago, we included the entire diplomatic corps,” Sobkowiak-Czarnecka said on Polish public broadcaster TVP Info. “But after the situation with [former Deputy Justice Minister] Marcin Romanowski, Foreign Affairs Minister Radosław Sikorski decided that the Hungarian ambassador is not a welcome guest.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was also excluded from the ceremony, further underscoring the depth of the diplomatic fallout.
Romanowski Case: A Flashpoint in Bilateral Relations
The controversy centres on Hungary’s decision to grant asylum to Marcin Romanowski, a former Deputy Minister of Justice and current lawmaker with Poland’s nationalist opposition party, Law and Justice (PiS). Romanowski faces 11 charges in Poland, including allegations of misusing public funds, and is the subject of a European Arrest Warrant issued by a Warsaw court.
Hungary’s refusal to extradite Romanowski has prompted outrage in Warsaw, with Polish authorities threatening to take the case to the European Court of Justice. The Polish government has described Hungary’s actions as a “hostile act,” while Hungary claims the charges against Romanowski are politically motivated.
Deteriorating Polish-Hungarian Relations
The asylum case has further eroded what was once a strong alliance between Poland and Hungary. The two countries, historically aligned due to their scepticism of EU federalism and shared positions on migration policy, have drifted apart since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Poland, under Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s pro-European centrist government, has become one of Ukraine’s most steadfast supporters. In contrast, Hungary, led by Viktor Orbán, has faced criticism for its perceived closeness to Moscow. Orbán’s visit to Russia and meeting with President Vladimir Putin during Hungary’s recent EU presidency drew condemnation from Poland and other EU member states.
The diplomatic rift has been exacerbated by contrasting domestic policies and EU stances. Poland’s shift to a pro-EU agenda under Tusk marks a stark departure from the Euroscepticism of the previous PiS government. Meanwhile, Hungary’s rhetoric under Orbán has become increasingly anti-EU, with Budapest opposing sanctions against Russia and fostering closer ties with Beijing.
The EU Context and Poland’s Priorities
Poland’s decision to exclude the Hungarian ambassador from the gala carries broader implications for EU dynamics. Hungary concluded its contentious EU presidency in December 2024, a term marked by Budapest’s challenges to EU consensus on issues such as sanctions against Russia and relations with China. Poland’s leadership of the EU Council now seeks to chart a markedly different course.
Operating under the slogan “Security, Europe!”, Poland has pledged to prioritise security and defence, reflecting its commitment to supporting Ukraine and strengthening the EU’s resilience against external threats. Warsaw’s decision to take a firm stance against Hungary over the Romanowski case signals its intent to lead by example in upholding the rule of law within the EU.
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