As the presidential elections in Belarus approach, a new development has raised eyebrows. Migrants who were camping near the Belarus-Poland border have been moved towards Russia, according to Colonel Andrzej Stasiulewicz of the Polish Border Guard (SG). This sudden move is seen as a ploy by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to maintain peace and stability in the country ahead of the elections.
The number of migrants attempting to cross the border has decreased significantly in recent weeks. According to SG data, only 86 people attempted to cross the border in the first two weeks of January, which is a substantial drop from the daily average of over 80 attempts last year. This decrease in attempts is a welcome respite for the Polish authorities, who have been struggling to cope with the influx of migrants.
However, experts believe that this lull is temporary and Lukashenko may continue to use migrants as a tool to exert pressure on the EU. „We can suspect that Lukashenko, preparing for the presidential elections, wants to maintain order in the country,” said Maciej Duszczyk, the deputy minister of internal affairs.
The presence of migrants with Russian visas on Belarusian soil has been a cause for concern for the Belarusian authorities. These migrants may not be welcome in Minsk, especially if they take to the streets to protest after the elections. Moreover, their presence in villages near the Polish-Belarusian border has been a cause for concern among locals, who may be deterred from voting.
The Polish authorities are taking steps to strengthen the border ahead of the elections. „We will complete the work on reinforcing the border by June,” said Duszczyk. This move is seen as a necessary step to prevent a surge in migrant attempts to cross the border.
The presidential elections in Belarus are scheduled for January 26, with Lukashenko being the sole candidate. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the outcome of the elections and the situation on the Belarus-Poland border.
According to recent data, the number of migrants attempting to cross the border has been decreasing since September 2024. This trend is a reversal of the surge in attempts seen in 2023, when 25,701 people attempted to cross the border, rising to 29,616 in 2024.
The Polish authorities have been working to strengthen the border and prevent illegal crossings. The SG has also been monitoring the situation closely, with an eye on the Russian-Belarusian border, where migrants may be trying to enter Poland.
As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: Lukashenko’s ploy to move migrants from the border may be a temporary measure to maintain peace and stability in Belarus ahead of the elections. However, the long-term implications of this move remain to be seen.
Key Statistics:
* 86 people attempted to cross the Poland-Belarus border in the first two weeks of January 2023.
* 25,701 people attempted to cross the border in 2023, rising to 29,616 in 2024.
* The number of migrants attempting to cross the border has been decreasing since September 2024.
* The Polish authorities are working to strengthen the border ahead of the Belarusian presidential elections.
