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Border controls between Poland and Germany: A new traffic jam for the region!
Frankfurt (Oder) sees increased border controls by Poland and Germany to regulate migration. Impact on trade.
Border controls between Poland and Germany: A new traffic jam for the region!
A lot has happened on the border between Germany and Poland in the last few days. On July 11, 2025, the start date for Polish border controls, four men in camouflage clothing targeted a gray mobile home on the border between Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice. When the vehicle wouldn't start, the Polish border guards and military police were called upon to help and push the motorhome. This scene marks the start of a series of measures that will last until August 5th to limit the “uncontrolled flow of migrants,” as Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk put it.
The controls cover a total of 50 crossings between Poland and Germany and 13 crossings from Lithuania. Tusk is addressing domestic political pressure, particularly from right-wing extremist groups that are mobilizing against migration. The decision to introduce the controls is also a direct response to the German federal government's increased measures to reject asylum seekers. According to information from the German Federal Police taz 330 asylum seekers have already been rejected since May.
A shambles for the Schengen policy?
In the Schengen area, which is best known for the free movement of people, experts are critical of the renewed border controls. This contradicts the efforts to keep borders open within the EU. The East Brandenburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry is concerned about the impact on the logistics industry, as German border controls, which make it more difficult for refugees to enter the country, are also stalling the movement of goods.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who sees the migration issue as a common problem, has emphasized that asylum seekers who have arrived in Germany will not be returned to Poland. These measures make people feel uneasy; Polish military police also carry out checks and the vigilante group under Robert Bąkiewicz is also active, which is highly controversial. Most residents in Gubin, on the other hand, are calm about the border controls and find them excessive.
The voices of the residents and the vigilantes
Robert Bąkiewicz, the leader of the vigilante group, claims that it forced the Polish authorities to take action. However, he is supported by a warehouse worker from Brandenburg, Kristian, who supports the vigilante group and is willing to continue observing the border work. But the situation remains tense. Poland's government has also restricted the right to asylum at the border with Belarus, adding to the complexity of the current situation.
| Facts about border controls |
|---|
| Start date of controls: July 11, 2025 |
| End date of controls: August 5, 2025 |
| Surveillance crossings: 50 to Germany, 13 to Lithuania |
| Rejected asylum seekers since May: 330 |
| Rejected migrants without applying for asylum: 5,500 |
How the matter will develop further remains uncertain. The debate about border controls brings to light not only legal but also practical aspects affecting freedom of movement and economic transactions between neighboring countries. While the highest levels of the government are trying to resolve the border issue, the question remains as to how long the Schengen area can continue to be perceived as a successful model for European cooperation.
The ZDF continues to report on the latest developments surrounding border controls and the EU Commission's reactions, which are legally controversial. The Commission and Parliament are called upon to make necessary adjustments to the Schengen system in order to meaningfully address the challenges of migration.