Budapest has become a refuge for politicians from Poland's ruling party, Law and Justice (PiS), facing legal troubles. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has reportedly indicated that more PiS politicians will likely seek asylum in Hungary due to the ongoing legal challenges in Poland, a situation that is already complicated by the relationship between the two parties. Hungarian investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi confirmed this during his appearance on a program titled "Świat według Polski." He noted that the relationship between Fidesz, Orban's party, and PiS remains tight, despite Orban's growing interest in the far-right political group, Confederation.
One notable figure currently seeking asylum in Hungary is Marcin Romanowski, a former Deputy Minister of Justice and PiS MP. Romanowski fled Poland after facing an arrest warrant and a European Arrest Warrant stemming from allegations related to the Justice Fund scandal, which involved accusations of irregularities and his potential involvement in organized crime. Since December 2024, Romanowski has secured political asylum in Hungary, but his situation has been met with considerable scrutiny.
Panyi shared insights into Romanowski's low profile in Hungary, stating, "He has granted several interviews to Viktor Orban’s propaganda media and Polish media. But we do not know what he is actually doing. He is not very present in Hungarian public life. To be honest, he is absolutely unknown in Hungary. He could easily blend into a crowd in Budapest. Nobody would recognize him." This uncertainty has raised questions about the extent of Romanowski's influence or activity while in exile.
Further complicating the situation, Adam Bodnar, Poland's former Human Rights Commissioner, has voiced concerns regarding the execution of the European Arrest Warrant issued for Romanowski. During an interview, Bodnar stated, "We are dealing with obstruction regarding the execution of a very important EU legal instrument." He emphasized the Hungarian court's position that it could only consider the request for Romanowski's extradition once he is deprived of liberty. Given that Romanowski is under asylum protection, a warrant for his arrest remains unmet.
Bodnar also indicated that Poland would pursue all available legal and political avenues to address the matter, even stating that he contacted Michael Schmidt, head of Eurojust, for intervention. He stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, "This is a platform that aims to ensure proper cooperation between courts and prosecutorial bodies." Meanwhile, the Polish prosecutor's office has acted by submitting a European Investigation Order to the Hungarian authorities in efforts to facilitate Romanowski's extradition.
Romanowski's legal troubles stem from investigations relating to the Justice Fund, under which he allegedly participated in organized criminal activity and manipulated procurement competitions for financial gains. He first faced charges in July 2024, following the lifting of his parliamentary immunity, which allowed for his arrest. However, complications arose when his immunity under the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe was invoked, preventing immediate enforcement of the arrest.
On October 2, 2024, the Parliamentary Assembly lifted Romanowski's immunity, paving the way for an arrest request which was formally submitted on October 16, 2024. Despite these developments, authorities could not locate Romanowski for arrest, leading to an international manhunt, culminating in his obtaining political asylum in Hungary.
The legal maneuvers surrounding Romanowski have not gone unnoticed. Bodnar highlighted that while the Polish authorities are working to bring him to justice, the continued delays are frustrating. He mentioned the possibility that political changes in Hungary following upcoming elections could influence the situation, saying, "But who knows, it may take the elections in Hungary to bring about real change. That’s next year. However, let me put it this way, the statute of limitations for the offenses attributed to Mr. Romanowski expires in twenty or thirty years, so we will have time. I think that sooner or later Mr. Romanowski will return to Polish soil."
This intricate web of politics and justice emphasizes the complex relationship between Poland and Hungary, particularly under the leadership of Orban, who has drawn criticism for harboring individuals like Romanowski. As more Polish politicians contemplate seeking asylum in Hungary amidst similar legal predicaments, this story is unfolding rapidly, keeping both Polish and Hungarian citizens guessing about future developments.
As the situation evolves, the implications for the Polish political landscape and its justice system remain critical. Many observers are left pondering the lengths to which politicians will go to evade accountability and what this means for broader EU judicial cooperation.
