A growing scandal involving cash exchanged for visas has put Poland’s government under pressure. The Speaker of the upper parliamentary house has called on the government to disclose its knowledge of the scandal, which has damaged Poland’s international reputation.
Media reports suggest that migrants paid up to $5,000 (£4,000) each to expedite their work visa applications. Seven individuals have been charged in connection with the scandal, but none of them are public officials. The Deputy Foreign Minister was dismissed last week, and the foreign ministry is now under audit.
Opposition MPs allege that up to 250,000 visas for individuals from Asia and Africa were irregularly issued. The government disputes this figure, but the controversy has sparked a heated political exchange.
The scandal has the potential to impact the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections. The party has long maintained an anti-immigration stance, and the controversy threatens to overshadow their election campaign.