No perceived threat from the allegedly named "Citizens' Militia" at Germany's boundaries, according to Merz.
Berlin Update: Friedrich Merz Dismisses Rise of 'Citizen Militias' in Germany for Border Control
According to chancellor Friedrich Merz, the formation of 'citizen militias' for independent border control in Germany is a non-issue. Merz, heading the CDU, made this statement on Tuesday, emphasizing that anyone engaging in such activities would be acting illegally. He mentioned that the relevant authorities, including the federal police and border control agents, would swiftly intervene to prevent such actions.
Nevertheless, the Police Union (GdP) has issued a critical warning, encouraging the federal government to avoid escalation. Their concerns stem from the increasing threat to the freedom of movement and the Schengen system, as various countries, such as Poland and Belgium, have witnessed the emergence of citizen militias. Germany, too, has seen self-proclaimed border guards at the city bridge in Frankfurt (Oder).
Dutch Minister-President Dick Schoof has raised concerns over the actions of right-wing politician Geert Wilders, who actively supports these citizen militias. During a visit to Berlin, Schoof accused Wilders of irresponsible behavior, as his actions could destabilize Dutch politics and potentially lead to new elections in October.
In response, Jochen Kopelke, the federal chairman of the GdP, warned about the consequences of such developments, stating that they could undermine internal security and trust in the sovereign rule of law. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, however, has dismissed the idea of citizen militias forming in Germany.
The formation of citizen militias for border control is not a widespread concern in Europe, with border control primarily managed by national authorities and international organizations. In Germany and Poland, national authorities are primarily responsible for managing borders and collaborating with international organizations like the European Union's border management agency, Frontex.
The debate surrounding border security in Germany and Poland typically centers on official border control measures and international cooperation rather than citizen militias. Any concerns or discussions in this realm focus on government policies and international agreements rather than the actions of individual citizens.
- The debate around border security in Europe, including in Germany and Poland, mainly revolves around official border control measures and international cooperation, steering clear of the concept of citizen militias.
- Amidst the raging debates on politics, policy-and-legislation, general-news, and crime-and-justice, the emergence of citizen militias for border control is not a prevalent issue in Europe, as it is mainly managed by national authorities and international organizations.
- In light of the escalating war-and-conflicts and its impact on security, the formation of citizen militias for border control remains a non-issue in Europe, as established authorities and international organizations maintain a strong foothold in managing border security.
