President Andrzej Duda expressed satisfaction that Prime Minister Donald Tusk has become a defender of the Polish border and now shows respect for the border guards and soldiers on the frontier, noting that a year earlier his political circle had attacked these servicemen in a scandalous manner.
During an interview on TV Trwam, he addressed the issue of illegal migration and whether the greatest danger lay to the east or to the west. Duda explained that before his presidency and the United Right government there existed a completely carefree migration policy, one that did not adequately address the risks involved. He recalled that Poland made it clear it did not want forced displacement of migrants and spoke of difficult conversations with Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2015 and 2016, which helped align much of Europe with their stance and policy.
The president stressed that the policy was designed to protect borders, emphasizing that it is the duty of states whose borders are also the borders of the European Union to safeguard those borders.
When asked if the current prime minister had truly shifted in practice beyond declarative statements, Duda replied that the real position depends on action and consistency, not rhetoric alone.
I am very happy that Prime Minister Tusk has recently become the defender of the Polish border and respects the Polish border guards and the soldiers serving there. He also noted that a year ago his political camp criticized these people in a scandalous way, which should be avoided in the future.
In response to criticisms that there is a split between a migration strategy called East Shield and prosecutors who scrutinize the actions of border guards and officers, Duda said he would approach the issue calmly and with balance.
He pointed out that certain rules have been introduced that, from a legal perspective, strengthen protections for soldiers and remove the absurdities that had to be dealt with in the past. He also underscored the need for a measured approach so that it is not possible to act arbitrarily at the border. A humane standard of conduct and careful monitoring must be maintained, incorporating a true golden mean in practice.
The president noted that this principle would be maintained for the time being.
Soldiers and Officers Support Act
The law backing the activities of soldiers and officers was signed by President Duda on August 14. Its provisions authorize the deployment of the military for independent actions—beyond just assisting the Interior and Administration services—on the country’s territory in peacetime, and they introduce the concept of a peacetime military operation conducted within the country. The act also provides legal support to soldiers and officers in procedures related to weapon use and regulates, among other things, the detention of soldiers by the Military Police.
The legislation adds a clause to the Criminal Code that excludes liability for acts carried out under certain conditions. This concerns the use of weapons or direct coercive measures by a soldier or officer defending the border when such actions are aimed at preventing harm or danger to life, health, or freedom, including countering activities intended to threaten a soldier or another person. A key prerequisite for recognizing that such action is not a crime is that the circumstances demanded immediate action.
In this context, the emphasis is placed on balancing security needs with humane treatment and on ensuring that rules are followed in a way that does not tilt too far in either direction. The approach remains grounded in moderation and responsibility.