Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Polish-German border to oppose Germany’s deportation of migrants and asylum seekers to Poland. The demonstration, organized by nationalist groups, accused the European Union and Germany of waging a “hybrid war” against Poland by using migrants as a political tool. The protest received backing from Poland’s main opposition party, Law and Justice (PiS), with its presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki thanking demonstrators for “guarding the border.”
The protest took place on a bridge linking Zgorzelec in Poland with Görlitz in Germany and was named “Stop Germany from flooding Poland with migrants.” A similar protest was held two weeks earlier at the Słubice-Frankfurt an der Oder border. Demonstrators displayed banners with messages such as “Germany, don’t leave your guests on our doorstep”, “Christian Poland, not Muslim”, and “Stop relocations.” Some chanted slogans like “This is Poland” and “Down with the European Union.”
While organizers claimed thousands participated, media estimates suggest the crowd was in the hundreds. Among them, a small group wore face coverings and displayed extremist symbols like the Celtic cross, associated with white supremacist groups. They also carried a banner reading “White Front.” However, they were confronted by other demonstrators, leading to clashes, as some accused them of being provocateurs.
The protests were triggered by Germany’s annual deportation of hundreds of asylum seekers who initially applied for protection in Poland before moving to Germany. Under the Dublin Regulation, EU countries can return asylum seekers to the first country where they applied for protection. In addition, since Germany reinstated border controls with Poland in 2023, thousands of migrants have been turned back at the border for lacking legal documents.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has criticized Germany’s border policies and suggested that Poland might stop complying with the Dublin Regulation and other agreements on returning migrants.
The protest was led by Robert Bąkiewicz, a well-known nationalist leader and former PiS parliamentary candidate. He accused Germany and the EU of trying to destroy Poland, urging people to resist. Speaking at the rally, PiS MP Janusz Kowalski claimed Poland’s border was unprotected and called for stricter border controls.
PiS-backed presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki also voiced his support for the protests, claiming that the Polish government had failed to secure the western border. “The border is not guarded by the Polish state but by Polish patriots, and I thank them for being there,” he said.
Ironically, official records show that in 2023, when PiS was in power, the number of asylum seekers deported by Germany to Poland was higher than in 2024, under Tusk’s government.
After the protest, Bąkiewicz distanced himself from the extremist group present at the demonstration, claiming they had “nothing to do with the organizers” and were there as a “provocation.” He alleged that police ignored his request to remove them and described the situation as a setup designed to damage the protest’s reputation.
German tabloid Bild reported on the demonstration with the headline “Polish neo-Nazis protest against refugees from Germany.” In response, Bąkiewicz threatened legal action, demanding an apology and the removal of what he called “false statements.” If Bild fails to comply within 48 hours, he vowed to sue the publication for defamation.
As Poland and Germany continue to clash over migrant policies, tensions at the border remain high, with opposition forces using migration as a key political issue ahead of upcoming elections.