Border controls between Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice: What now?

Border controls between Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice: What now?

in the region on the German-Polish border, especially in Frankfurt (Oder) and the Polish sister city of Słubice, the situation is increasingly tense. On the German side, a striking graffiti is emblazoned with the lettering "City of the Bridge Bauer", which symbolizes the transnational connection between these cities. But since the introduction of sharper border controls in May 2023 (since July 7, 2023 on the Polish side), people and their cross -border contacts have been at stake. The Tagesspiegel which is severely impaired was.

The federal police carry out rigorous controls at the border crossing, in which about every seventh vehicle is waved out. According to reports, the controls are quite quick on average, since the checking of the papers generally does not take longer than five minutes. Nevertheless, people were rejected every day, which exacerbates the one-way situation for many refugees. It is worrying that on the Polish side a vigilante for some time has been trying to support migrants in entering Germany, but has no official powers.

difficult insights into the reality of life

The mayor of Słubice, Marzena Słodownik, comments concerned about the introduction of permanent controls. She wants a solution at European level to alleviate the effects on the over 2,500 daily commuters and the well -frequented vehicle traffic, which counts between 8,000 and 10,000 cars a day. For Słodownik, the two cities are closely connected, and she fears that longer waiting times and financial losses could put a strain on the social relationship between the citizens of both sides. "Permanent border controls would be a disaster," she says, appealing to the German government not to consider the border controls as a punishment for the border regions and to promote cross -border cooperation. rbb24 reports of your clear point of view.

The fears and concerns of the residents are not only reflected in the words of Słodownik. More and more people are reporting unpleasant experiences in controls, especially when it comes to discrimination due to the skin color. Everyday life on the border has already become a challenge for many. In addition, the legal uncertainties have contributed to the delay of the border controls after a Berlin administrative court found that some of the rejections at the border were classified as "illegal".

cross -border responsibility

Germany is in a delicate situation when it comes to migration policy. The federal government, under the pressure of a growing debate about the tightening of migration policy, is considering a comprehensive expansion of the controls and even discusses rejections. Initiatives from the Netherlands testify to a similar endeavor, which leads to an entire political climate that creates concern in many EU neighbor. An overview of the Tagesschau shows that the Austrian Interior Minister has already made it clear that Austria will not take up rejected asylum seekers-a step that is also heating up the topic.

The discussions about migration policy and border controls seem to be increasing in complexity. Here it becomes clear that suggestions for solutions at the European level are necessary in order to meet the challenges of the external borders. Between the concerns of the residents, the role of the vigilante and the political currents in the EU, the region is faced with an uncertain future that could be both economically and socially formative.