Polish vigilantes protest: border controls against migrants intensified!

Polish vigilantes protest: border controls against migrants intensified!

An inconspicuous brown van rolls over the city bridge between Frankfurt/Oder and Słubice. On the Polish side, Ewa, 72 years old, is standing with two colleagues who are also wearing the characteristic warning vests of the “Border Guard Movement” (ROG). On this summer day, the scene in front of the random checks by the Polish border guards conveys a strange picture: Ewa looks over the officers' shoulders and loudly expresses her criticism of the new border controls.

These were introduced on July 7, 2023 after Germany took similar measures, forcing Polish authorities to also tighten their controls. The checks are not intended to represent a return to the time before Schengen, but are merely visual inspections and spot checks, which, according to the Polish border guard, are more efficient than in Germany. There is a lot of talk about politics, curbing migration and congestion in border regions.

The border protection movement and its effects

The border protection movement, led by Robert Bąkiewicz, has become the voice of a part of the Polish population who believe that the government is not doing enough to protect the borders. In contrast to other groups that carry out patrols in these places, the ROG's concern is clear: they want to prevent the repatriation of refugees from Germany. Ewa is convinced that Germany is sending migrants to Poland and criticizes German policy in this context.

Due to the increasing tensions and the visible presence of the vigilante group, there have already been various incidents - in particular blockades at border crossings and unauthorized checks on migrants. Where border protection is deemed insufficient, the vigilante group has forced itself into this gap. According to reports from t online The non-governmental patrols already had a certain degree of influence before the official controls and became active under the leadership of Bąkiewicz.

What is particularly noteworthy is the support that Bąkiewicz receives from part of the population. Surveys show that around 54% of Poles support the vigilante group. Nevertheless, the activity of the border protection movement has decreased due to a lack of volunteers. The forces at the border crossing are currently comparatively weak, while Ewa and her colleagues continue to receive sporadic support from passers-by who bring them food and drinks.

Political reactions and outlook

Politically, the vigilante group is met with mixed reactions. While Bąkiewicz's PiS party sees it as opportune to criticize the government under Donald Tusk, Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz says that paramilitary formations like the ROG are not needed. The Interior Minister, on the other hand, documents the constant hindrances to the work of civil servants, which requires further legal action. It remains uncertain where developments on the Polish-German border will lead in the future.

One statement from Ewa remains in the memory: She plans to remain active until Tusk is deposed. This makes her part of a growing movement that is not just limited to border protection, but also raises deeper social questions about migration, asylum policy and national identity. Updated information on this issue may develop soon as the situation at the borders continues to evolve - FAZ reports that the population is also expressing their dissatisfaction with politics.

We can be curious to see how this situation develops and whether Ewa and her colleagues can continue to attract public interest or whether there will be a normalization at the border. Time will tell which direction Polish politics and the border protection movement will ultimately take.