Slubice Mayor Warns Against Permanent Border Checks with Germany

Polish mayor highlights economic and social risks of proposed permanent border controls aimed at curbing migration.

Marzena Slodownik, mayor of Slubice, Poland, has expressed strong opposition to permanent border checks with Germany, calling them a potential 'catastrophe.'
The proposed permanent controls, supported by Germany's CDU, aim to address human smuggling and irregular migration but face criticism for their local impact.
Slodownik emphasized the economic interdependence between Slubice and Frankfurt (Oder), with daily cross-border trade and labor integration at stake.
Temporary border checks introduced since October 2023 have already caused economic downturns and strained social relations in the border region.
The mayor urged German policymakers to seek cooperative solutions to migration challenges without harming the livelihoods of border communities.