The former EU Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, has criticised the internal border controls implemented by a number of Schengen member states and has called for an end to this measure.
Unhappy with the current situation, Juncker said that the internal border controls are bringing unnecessary trouble for “working people” while stressing that controls are not as effective as portrayed, Schengen.News reports.
Juncker Bothered That Internal Border Controls Are Becoming a Normal Thing
Juncker said that he is bothered by the fact that internal border controls are becoming a normal thing when the idea of the Schengen Area is to permit unrestricted movement for everyone.
He further noted that he does not want to get used to internal border controls and also commented on the decision of Germany to impose checks on all of its member states.
“It bothers me that it seems to be becoming such a normal thing to reinstate border controls. And I don’t want to get used to it.” Former EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker
According to Juncker, if Germany decides to implement internal border controls on a permanent basis, the quality of life of the people in the Greater Region would not be as good as now and called on the Luxembourg government to intervene with the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Germany said that it would keep its border controls in place temporarily for a period of six months. However, it cannot be excluded that the country might extend the measure if the number of irregular migrants trying to enter its territory continues to remain high.
A Number of Schengen Member States Currently Have Internal Border Checks in Place
In addition to Germany, several other Schengen member states currently carry out internal border checks, including France, Italy, Norway, Austria, Slovenia, Denmark, and Sweden.
Slovenia is the most recent country to have decided to extend its border controls. Just last week, the Slovenian authorities announced that the checks with Croatia and Hungary will remain in place for another six months, until June 2025.
Austria, at the same time, extended border controls with Hungary and Slovenia until May 2025, and France extended controls with all its Schengen neighbouring countries until April 2025.
As for Italy, the country shared just last week that it will keep its controls with Slovenia in place for another six months, while the measure of Norway is set to expire on December 1, 2024.
In addition to these countries, the Netherlands will soon take the same step. Starting December 9, the Netherlands will implement land border checks.
Source: https://schengen.news/former-eu-commission-chief-calls-for-an-end-to-internal-schengen-border-controls/
