Supercharging our Frontiers: Dobrindt mulls extended shifts for border agents
Border guards may potentially work 12-hour shifts, according to Dobrindt's plans.
Alexander Dobrindt, the new Federal Interior Minister of the CSU, is set to ramp up border controls in Germany. According to reports by "Spiegel", he's considering beefing up the border force by doubling the number of special units - from six to twelve.
This move would bolster the current 11,000-strong force significantly. But that's not all. Rumors suggest Dobrindt is planning to institute 12-hour shifts for border agents, potentially increasing the number of active checkpoints from the current 50.
The "Spiegel" cites a supposed telephone conference between Dieter Romann, President of the Federal Police Office, and his directors as the source of this information, though official confirmation remains elusive. Dobrindt himself has promised a statement later in the day, hinting at his intention to take a tougher stance on border security immediately post-government change in Germany.
In the meantime, border controls are apparently business as usual - with no marked changes seen yet, even at the western frontiers. Stefan Döhn, spokesman for the Federal Police Inspectorate Trier, assured, "We're doing our job as we have in the past months. We haven't received any new instructions. We're continuing as before."
Since mid-September 2024, controls have been reinstated at all German external borders. In February, these controls were extended by half a year until September 15.
The latest strategy underscores a more stringent immigration policy under Dobrindt's leadership, aligning with the coalition's focus on boosting security and order. However, the practical implications and compliance with EU regulations may pose challenges.
It's also worth mentioning that prior to this, Dobrindt has implemented permanent border controls with Poland, Austria, and France, and plans to deploy an additional 3,000 border police officers, possibly expanding the force to around 14,000 strong. Moreover, stricter asylum rules are on the agenda, with thoughts of turning away more asylum seekers, particularly at the Austrian border, provoking some legal and diplomatic concerns.
[1] ntv.de, mpe/dpa[2] bbc.com[3] spiegel.de[4] npr.org[5] dw.com
- Alexander Dobrindt, Germany's new Federal Interior Minister, is considering an increased employment policy for border agents, proposing 12-hour shifts to potentially double the number of active checkpoints, from 50 to possibly 100.
- Dobrindt's strategy for beefing up border controls aligns with the coalition's focus on immigration policy, aiming to boost security and order, which includes the deployment of additional 3,000 border police officers, potentially expanding the force to around 14,000 strong.
- The tightened immigration policy also encompasses stricter asylum rules, with plans to turn away more asylum seekers, particularly at the Austrian border, which has provoked some legal and diplomatic concerns.
- The Community policy implications and compliance with EU regulations may pose challenges in implementing Dobrindt's border security strategies.
- The role of border guards becomes more crucial in the context of politics, general news, crime and justice, migration, war-and-conflicts, and employment policy, as highlighted by the extended shifts for guards and increased number of special units in Dobrindt's border force plan for 2024.
