Geopolitics
Poland
Criticizes Germany’s Plan for Stricter Border Controls: Tensions on the Rise
written by
Press Xpress May 4, 2025
As Friedrich
Merz prepares to take office as Chancellor of Germany, he faces immediate
diplomatic tension with Poland over plans to implement stricter border controls
between the two countries. This issue threatens to strain German-Polish
relations just days before Merz’s inaugural visit to Warsaw, highlighting
significant concerns about border traffic, the internal EU market, and European
migration policy.
As Friedrich
Merz prepares to become Chancellor of Germany, his plans to implement stricter
border controls between Germany and Poland have sparked immediate diplomatic
criticism. This issue threatens to strain German-Polish relations just days
before Merz’s inaugural visit to Warsaw, highlighting significant concerns
about border traffic, the internal EU market, and European migration policy.
Poland’s
Concerns on Border Restrictions and EU Integration
Poland’s
ambassador to Berlin, Jan Tombiński, has voiced strong opposition to Germany’s
plans for increased border checks. Speaking to POLITICO’s Berlin Playbook,
Tombiński warned that the current level of border controls already poses
significant challenges for cross-border traffic, affecting daily operations and
the smooth functioning of the EU’s internal market. Tombiński stated, “We do
not want to see a tightening of border controls.”
The
German-Polish border is a crucial artery for both trade and mobility within the
European Union. Any further tightening of controls risks disrupting the
efficient flow of goods and people, which could have broader consequences for
EU integration. The imposition of stricter border measures could introduce
delays, hinder trade, and ultimately undermine the single market—a foundational
principle of the European Union.
Merz’s Tough
Stance on Migration
Friedrich
Merz, the incoming Chancellor, has long advocated for a more stringent approach
to immigration, particularly concerning illegal border crossings and asylum
seekers. Merz’s coalition government, which includes his conservative Christian
Democratic Union (CDU) and the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), has
promised to take a tougher stance on migration to address concerns from
right-wing voters.
On his first
day in office, Merz intends to introduce enhanced border controls to deter
illegal immigration. Thorsten Frei, the designated head of the Chancellery,
reaffirmed this commitment, stating that from May 6, anyone attempting to cross
Germany’s borders illegally would be stopped. This policy seeks to curb
irregular migration and enforce tighter security measures at Germany’s borders.
Poland’s
Legal Obligations Under EU Law
Poland has
emphasized that it remains committed to its obligations under EU law,
particularly regarding asylum seekers. Tombiński reminded that the Common
European Asylum System (CEAS) forbids member states from rejecting asylum
seekers at their internal borders. Poland, therefore, has pledged not to accept
any new measures that would involve turning back asylum seekers.
However,
Poland has called for reforms to the CEAS, arguing that the current system is
too slow and not responsive enough to the growing migration challenges.
Poland’s position reflects a broader concern within the EU about the efficiency
of the asylum system, which many believe is unable to handle the pressures of
current migration flows.
Legal
Implications and EU Law
The legal
framework surrounding border control and asylum procedures complicates the
situation further. While Austria’s Interior Ministry has supported Germany’s
plans, asserting that they align with EU law, the European Court of Justice
(ECJ) has ruled that informal returns of asylum seekers are prohibited when an
asylum application has been lodged. This legal principle adds a layer of
complexity to Germany’s proposals, as stricter border controls may conflict
with EU standards on asylum processing.
Germany’s
need to manage its borders within the boundaries of EU law presents a
challenge. While stricter border checks are politically popular among many
voters, they may lead to legal disputes, particularly with neighboring
countries like Poland that are committed to upholding EU asylum law.
Challenges
in Implementing Stricter Border Controls
From a
logistical standpoint, implementing comprehensive border controls at the
German-Polish border presents significant challenges. Germany shares a lengthy
border of over 3,700 kilometers, and the proposal for increased controls would
require substantial resources to enforce effectively.
Jochen
Kopelke, the head of the German police union, has warned that Germany would
need at least 20,000 additional officers to manage the proposed measures
adequately. Without this boost in staffing, Kopelke suggested that the policy
would be “unrealistic” to implement, especially considering the current strain
on the country’s law enforcement resources.
The
Diplomatic Stakes: Merz’s Visit to Warsaw
Merz is
scheduled to visit Warsaw on May 7, where he will be confronted with the
diplomatic fallout from his government’s proposed border measures. Poland’s
opposition to the policy represents a major challenge for Merz, who had
campaigned on the promise of improving relations with Germany’s neighbors and
playing a more active role in European affairs.
His upcoming
visit will be a critical opportunity to clarify Germany’s position on border
security and migration policy and to address the concerns raised by Poland. The
visit will also test Merz’s ability to reconcile domestic political promises
with the need for European cooperation.
The dispute
over stricter border controls at the German-Polish border underscores the
ongoing tension within the EU on migration and border security. While Germany
seeks to address the concerns of its right-wing voters by enhancing border
security, Poland and other EU member states remain focused on upholding the
principles of free movement and legal obligations regarding asylum seekers.
As Merz
moves forward with his plan, the challenges of implementing these policies will
require careful negotiation, not just within Germany but with its EU partners.
The need for a reformed, more efficient European asylum system has never been
more urgent as tensions over migration continue to test the unity of the EU.
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