Germany’s decision to introduce border controls as a means to combat irregular migration has been criticised by the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk.
The Polish PM considered Berlin’s decision unacceptable to “de facto suspend Schengen on such a large scale”, Schengen.News reports.
Tusk vowed to discuss the matter at the EU level with other affected countries.
Soon after Germany’s announcement of border control implementation, Austria’s Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner, said that Vienna would not take in any rejected asylum seekers or migrants from Germany.
According to some experts, Germany’s recent decision could have consequences for governments and asylum seekers around the EU countries.
The Minister of Interior of Germany, Nancy Faeser, revealed that from September 16, the country will introduce controls at all its borders that will initially remain effective for a period of six months.
Introducing the new decision, Minister Faeser argued that border controls would permit a massive step-up in rejections of asylum seekers and also help to deal with Islamist terrorism and serious cross-border crime.
At present, Germany maintains control at its borders with Austria, Poland, Czechia, and Switzerland.
Under the Schengen Borders Code (SBC), the reintroduction of border controls at the internal borders is allowed. However, it must be applied as a last resort measure in exceptional situations and must respect the principle of proportionality.
Last month, Germany’s Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, said that the country could prolong border controls beyond December 15, 2024. The Minister indicated that these controls could be kept in place until the new EU asylum rules become effective next year.
Minister Faeser argued that border controls are helping Germany effectively deal with irregular migration.
Previously, the spokesperson of the Czechia Ministry of Interior, Hana Malá, said that further extension of border controls by Germany could lead to a domino effect of controls throughout the EU’s borderless area of Schengen.
Malá also said that border controls could also cause delays at the borders. The figures from the German Federal Employment Agency revealed that, at present, about 240,000 people from Germany’s neighbouring counties commute to Germany for work purposes.
Source: https://schengen.news/poland-considers-germanys-decision-to-introduce-border-controls-unacceptable/
