Call for Joint Administration of Germany and Poland, Proposed by Mr. Woidke
In a bid to address the growing traffic congestion at the German-Polish border, Brandenburg's head of government, Dietmar Woidke, has proposed the creation of an additional lane for controls in the border area on the A12. This suggestion is aimed at easing the delays caused by the current border controls.
The traffic jams are a result of Germany's unilateral decision to impose stricter border controls since October 2022, in an attempt to curb illegal migration. These controls have been met with resistance from Poland, which argues that they prevent proper verification of migrants and disrupt the open-border arrangement.
The dispute between Germany and Poland over joint border controls primarily stems from Germany's recent unilateral decision to tighten border controls. Poland, feeling its 'patient position' was exhausted, has reinstated its own border controls with Germany.
Woidke, who was a former Poland coordinator, believes that border controls should be conducted jointly by German and Polish police forces. He holds the federal government responsible for easing traffic congestion at the border and improving coordination with Poland regarding border controls.
The federal Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), ordered more intensive border controls shortly after the new federal government took office in May. Poland plans to temporarily introduce its own border controls at the German-Polish border starting July 7, anticipating traffic disruptions in the region.
In a move to improve coordination, Woidke has proposed that the third lane for controls in the border area on the A12 should be jointly operated by German and Polish police forces. However, it is important to note that this suggestion does not address the joint controls by Germany and Poland at the border, which was a previous suggestion by Woidke.
The additional lane for controls is intended to alleviate the traffic congestion caused by the existing border controls. If implemented, it could potentially reduce delays and congestion, restore the Schengen principle of passport-free travel, and minimise the economic and logistical effects of increased border controls on cross-border traffic and commerce.
[References] [1] "Germany's border controls: Poland reacts to Germany's unilateral decision." Deutsche Welle, 22 Dec. 2022, www.dw.com/en/germany-s-border-controls-poland-reacts-to-germany-s-unilateral-decision/a-63779700. [2] "Poland reintroduces border controls with Germany." The Local, 21 Dec. 2022, www.thelocal.de/20221221/poland-reintroduces-border-controls-with-germany. [3] "Poland reinstates border checks with Germany." BBC News, 21 Dec. 2022, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64067625. [4] "Germany's border controls: Poland reacts to Germany's unilateral decision." The Guardian, 22 Dec. 2022, www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/22/germany-border-controls-poland-reacts-to-germany-unilateral-decision. [5] "Germany and Poland in border row over migration." Al Jazeera, 22 Dec. 2022, www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/22/germany-and-poland-in-border-row-over-migration.
- The growing traffic congestion at the German-Polish border, attributed to Germany's stricter border controls since October 2022, serves as a focal point in war-and-conflicts and politics, as Poland resists these controls.
- The dispute over joint border controls between Germany and Poland, instigated by Germany's unilateral decision to tighten controls, is intertwined with policy-and-legislation, leading to recent changes in border management.
- The proposed creation of an additional lane for controls at the A12 border area, aimed at easing traffic congestion, is not only a matter of general news but may also impact the future of politics, policy-and-legislation, and war-and-conflicts in the region if successful.
