Critics Slam Border Controls After Daily Traffic Jams in Brandenburg
Recent permanent border controls at the Poland border have received criticism from the Green parliamentary group in the Brandenburg state parliament. Daily traffic jams are making life more difficult for commuters, schoolchildren, and students, as mentioned by Green MP Sahra Damus during a press conference on Thursday. Damus also questioned the efficiency of fixed border controls in curbing irregular migration, suggesting it to be mere right-wing politics.
Her colleague, Clemens Rostock, expressed concern over the working conditions of federal police officers during the checks, remarking on the harsh conditions and lack of basic facilities like toilets. Rostock stated that the border controls were not only pointless but also a burden on the officers, who get stuck in the cold, dealing with the inconvenience.
However, Olaf Jansen, the head of the Central Immigration Office, reported a significant decline in newly arriving refugees since the introduction of fixed border controls in mid-October, with the number falling to between 20 and 30 people a day. Brandenburg's Interior Minister Michael Stübgen (CDU) attributed this decrease to the increased risk for people smugglers due to the controls.
The Spokesperson for the Federal Police countered the accusations of traffic jams on the Autobahn 12 near Frankfurt (Oder), attributing any congestion to accidents or roadworks on the Polish side. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser extended the stationary controls at Germany's borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland by an additional 20 days on Wednesday.
While the renewed criticism focuses on the efficiency of fixed border controls in deterring irregular migration, the rise in asylum applications in Germany despite controls may underline symbolic politics. The Green parliamentary group might argue that these measures could breach both German and EU law, potentially undermining European unity.
Insights: The border controls have resulted in mixed reactions from different perspectives, with some advocating for their effectiveness in reducing irregular migration and others criticizing their impact on commuters and the working conditions of police officers.
The border controls have shown some success in reducing asylum applications and arresting smugglers, as reported by the Central Immigration Office. However, the negative impact on commuters and the harsh working conditions of federal police officers have raised concerns about the overall efficacy and necessity of the measures.
Polysemous criticisms from the Green parliamentary group and federal police officials could potentially contribute to the ongoing debate about the legality, necessity, and impact of the border controls on both migrants and commuters.
The renewed criticism from the Green parliamentary group may pertain to the potential breach of both German and EU law, as these measures may undermine European unity and violate principles of the Schengen Agreement, which emphasizes expanding freedom of movement throughout the Schengen Area.
