Neighboring countries critique Dobrindt's border plan.
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Just a day into the new government, Interior Minister Dobrindt makes headlines with a surprising move. Refugees will be denied entry more swiftly, and he didn't shy away from causing a stir! But what do Germany's neighbors think of Dobrindt's tough border plan?
Switzerland is vocal about their displeasure, calling out Germany for pushing through with these initiatives without consulting their European neighbors. From their perspective, systematic border rejections contradict international law. Now, they're keeping a close eye on the consequences and are prepared to act if required [1].
Goods and passenger traffic between the two countries must remain uninterrupted, according to Swiss authorities. Federal Councilor Beat Jans has even proposed a meeting between responsible ministers of both nations, but no response has been received as yet [1].
Over in Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk hesitates to follow Merz's proposed migration course. Poland has heavily invested in the protection of the EU's external borders. Tusk acknowledges the need for reinforced border controls but emphasizes prioritizing external borders and keeping the internal borders relatively open [2].
Austria and the Czech Republic, however, seem to support Germany's course of action. The Austrian Interior Ministry has welcomed the new German government, expressing hope for cooperative relations to tackle international and sustainable challenges, particularly in areas like return policies and external border protection [2].
Similarly, the Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan has backed Dobrindt's plan, stating that the changes will have minimal impact on the Czech Republic and its citizens [2]. He also hinted at expediting changes to the asylum law in light of ongoing transit migration of refugees.
Dobrindt has proposed increasing the number of federal police officers to enforce stronger border controls and turn away certain asylum seekers [3]. However, vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children will still be protected [3].
Sources:
[1] ntv.de, mpa[2] ntv.de, IHS node[3] Bild
- Refugees
- Border Control
- Germany
- Friedrich Merz
- Alexander Dobrindt
- Switzerland
- Poland
- Donald Tusk
- Czech Republic
- Austria
- Asylum Seekers
- Immigration Policy
- European Union
- Alexander Dobrindt's tough border policy regarding refugees has sparked a variety of reactions among neighboring countries, with Switzerland voicing displeasure over the perceived disregard for international law.
- German while Poland, on the other hand, is hesitant to follow Dobrindt's proposed migration course but supports reinforced border controls, emphasizing the need to keep internal borders open.
- Austria and the Czech Republic, in contrast, seem to support Dobrindt's plan, with the Austrian Interior Ministry expressing hope for cooperative relations and the Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan hinting at expediting changes to the asylum law.
- Dobrindt has proposed increasing the number of federal police officers to enforce stronger border controls and turn away certain asylum seekers, but has assured that vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children will still be protected.
