Border controls to Poland: Schwerin's State Secretary demands consideration!

Border controls to Poland: Schwerin's State Secretary demands consideration!

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the signs are on change: From Monday, Poland is planning to introduce stationary controls on the border with Germany. State Secretary Heiko Miraß expressed concern about this measure and emphasized the need to take into account the interests of people in the region. The border controls could lead to challenges, especially for commuters and travelers, why Miraß asked for a balanced approach between Germany and Poland. "We have to keep an eye on the needs of all those who regularly cross the border," he said, while he highlighted the close economic exchange between Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Poland, especially the popular holiday island of Usedom. According to [n-tv] (https://www.n-tv.de/regionales/Mecklenburg-Vorpommern/schwerin-fuer-Euer-waer-bei-polnische- Grenzkontrollen-article25874386.html), the measure is a response to the increased German border controls since October 2023.

Why are these controls necessary? In the past few months there has been an increase in unauthorized entry to Germany. From January to October 2023 alone, the federal police registered around 98,000 such entry. This number has more than doubled compared to the previous year. In particular on the border with Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, migrants have recently been taken up, including many from crisis countries such as Syria and Iran. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasizes that the controls should be designed in such a way that everyday life is impaired as little as possible by commuters and travel, which is a real challenge given the introduction of static controls at seven border crossings. The first checkpoint was set up at the border crossing pomelles, which already led to diversions and comprehensive traffic disruptions on the A11. As reports [NDR] (https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/kampf- against-schleuser-ab-sfort-stationaere---- border-to-polen-, Binnenkrolle100.html), this measure will be maintained until October 26, 2023.

reactions from politics

The reaction to the German controls did not fail in Poland. Prime Minister Donald Tusk calls for a symmetrical answer to the increased measures in Germany. While Germany triggered a chain reaction with its controls, Poland deals with the increased figures of illegal entry. At the same time, a "pingpong game" between the countries is warned, in which refugees could be pushed back and forth. Tusk points out that Poland is already closing the border with Belarus "98 percent". These developments bring the political landscape and the dynamics of the border region in motion, and the discussions about rejection of asylum seekers become louder. Several neighboring countries, including Luxembourg and the Czech Republic, criticize the German controls and require a return to the Schengen principles, such as sueddeutsche.de

The coming weeks could be decisive for people at the border. It is expected that the new controls will have a direct impact on the everyday life of the border commuters. While some can understand the need for the measures, many fear that the resulting bureaucratic effort could make free exchange and everyday life. It remains to be seen here that both Germany and Poland will have a good hand in coordinating their measures in order to consider the concerns of the affected citizens as best as possible.