In a media interview on Monday, Nawrocki said he wanted full access to data on the influx of migrants through the country’s western border with Germany.
He criticised both the German authorities and the Polish government’s handling of illegal migration.
Speaking to private broadcaster Polsat News, Nawrocki said the Polish-German border was currently “porous” and cited complaints he heard during his presidential campaign from residents of Poland’s western regions.
“This issue must be resolved, including the possible introduction of controls on the Polish side of the border,” Nawrocki said.
He added that he would not remain indifferent after taking office.
“I will certainly convene a Cabinet Council and request all statistical data related to illegal migration,” he told Polsat News.
Since October 2023, Germany has introduced checks on the Polish-German border to curb illegal migration.
However, opposition politicians in Poland have been sharing online reports of migrants being pushed back into Poland by German authorities, allegedly in breach of procedure.
Nawrocki criticised Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government, accusing it of using a divide-and-rule approach.
He warned that tensions were rising between official Border Guard personnel and members of "citizen patrols."
He also called on Tusk to take immediate steps to address the situation, warning that confrontation between different groups on the border undermines the rule of law and public safety.
The interior minister, Tomasz Siemoniak, on Monday urged anyone wishing to defend Poland’s borders to join the official Border Guard.
He emphasised that the government does not cooperate with citizen patrols, some of which he accused of "stirring up trouble" at the border.
Nawrocki is set to be sworn in on August 6, succeeding outgoing conservative President Andrzej Duda.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP