German Politicians Divided Over Border Controls With Poland
Debate intensifies as Green Party calls for an end to checks, citing European values, while SPD-led government defends the measures to curb irregular migration.
- The Green Party in Brandenburg has urged the removal of border controls with Poland, arguing they undermine European values and fail to stop smuggling networks effectively.
- The SPD/BSW coalition in Brandenburg supports continuing the controls, aligning with the federal government's stance on reducing unauthorized migration.
- Since October 2023, German border police have conducted spot checks along borders with Poland, Czechia, and Switzerland, resulting in over 33,000 rejections and 57,000 unauthorized entries by October 2024.
- Critics, including Saarland's Minister-President Anke Rehlinger, argue the controls harm cross-border commuters and contradict the principles of the Schengen Agreement.
- Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser plans to extend the border checks beyond March 2025, emphasizing their role in addressing irregular migration challenges.