Overview

• Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt affirmed in the Bundestag that the Bundespolizei can maintain intensified border controls for an extended period, countering police union warnings of resource strain.
• The Gewerkschaft der Polizei cautioned that the current level of enforcement is only sustainable for a few more weeks without additional support or adjustments to operations.
• Mayors of Kehl and Strasbourg sent a formal protest letter to Chancellor Merz, citing economic disruptions and daily life impacts in the cross-border region.
• SPD lawmakers questioned the legal basis for rejecting asylum seekers at the border, describing it as potentially precarious and raising concerns about compliance with EU law.
• The policy, implemented on May 8, has led to a 45% increase in rejections within its first week, but critics argue its broader impact on Schengen principles and European cohesion remains a significant risk.