On January 3, 2025, Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a note to Budapest, deeming the presence of Hungarian Ambassador István Ijgyártó at the opening ceremony of Poland's EU presidency as undesirable. This decision follows Hungary's granting of asylum to Marcin Romanowski, a former deputy justice minister in Poland, who faces criminal charges for corruption.
The official inauguration is set to take place at the Grand Theatre - National Opera in Warsaw, with expected attendees including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the new President of the European Council, António Costa.
Poland's Foreign Minister, Radosław Sikorski, communicated that Ijgyártó's participation is not anticipated. It remains uncertain whether Budapest will send a lower-ranking diplomat as a replacement.
Initially, the Hungarian ambassador had confirmed his attendance at the gala concert weeks prior. On December 19, a Warsaw court issued an arrest warrant for the 48-year-old Romanowski, who is under investigation for 11 criminal offenses, including membership in a criminal organization.
During his tenure from 2019 to 2023, Romanowski allegedly misappropriated millions from a fund intended for crime victims, redirecting funds to projects that reportedly benefited the ruling Law and Justice party. Romanowski has denied all allegations, claiming political motivations behind his prosecution.
In response to the asylum granted by Hungary, the Polish government summoned the Hungarian ambassador to deliver a note of protest. Budapest criticized the actions of Tusk's government, accusing it of ignoring constitutional court decisions and weaponizing criminal law against political adversaries.