Starting next week, Germany intends to introduce controls at all its borders. Home Secretary Nancy Feather justified the decision by wanting to limit irregular migration and strengthen protection against terrorism and cross-border crime. In addition, “refusals of entry in accordance with European legislation” will become possible.
European mass media are discussing the possible consequences, which will concern not only Germany.
Le Soir – Belgium. Heads of countries and governments of the EU are acting under the influence of panic – the Brussels Le Soir criticizes:
“With such governments in power, there is no need for the far right: the AdG leadership did not miss the opportunity to mock the Democrats, who, they say, are finally implementing the same policy that we have been demanding for ten years. The European migration pact, which is far from perfect, but ensures a fair redistribution of refugees between receiving countries was scrapped immediately after acceptance.
The pressure of elections and the fear of far-right or far-left forces make those in power run around in panic, like a headless chicken, and the migrant here serves only as a valve.”
Die Presse – Austria. Uncontrolled migration has the potential to split the EU, according to Vienna’s Die Presse:
“Germany has played the role of a model European state for many years, but now the cup is overflowing. The terrorist attack in Solingen … was a turning point for Germany. … If Germany closes its borders or develops some kind of operational mechanism to allow or not allow migrants directly at the border, then it should expect a domino effect that can roll all the way to the EU’s external border.
If Germany manages to circumvent EU legislation, the price will be high: then everyone will be free to do what they want. Waiting for the ultra-right to come to power in Europe is not a good idea eitherian Something has to happen. Unregulated migration is a heavy burden on European countries.”
taz, die tageszeitung – Germany. The Berlin taz warns against the dangers of a possible domino effect:
“When it comes to this topic, everyone starts from half a turn. Last year Austria – more or less without noise and dust – took back more than twelve thousand people from Germany. But now, in the course of the election campaign and after the loud disputes that we saw in Berlin , it is planned to put an end to this practice.
And what will happen later? Other states can take this behavior as an example to follow. The result may be a cascade of border closures and entry denials – all the way to the external borders of the European Union, where in fact chaos will erupt and dissatisfaction with EU partners will continue to grow. … If sentiment in the European Union continues to flare up over the refugee problem, it will undoubtedly weaken the community even more. As we understand, the moment is the most inappropriate for this.”
Tygodnik Powszechny – Польща. The Warsaw weekly Tygodnik Powszechny reflects:
“The foundations of Angela Merkel’s policies for the past 20 years now lie in ruins. Relations with Russia ended the day Russia invaded Ukraine. The current head of the CDU, Friedrich Merz, intends to close the borders that Merkel opened wide in 2015. And the bad news from the VW concern make us doubt the German economic model.
But the problems facing Germany are also the problems of the entire continent. These are the problems of the Polish borders, where the change in Berlin’s migration policy is felt. These are the problems of Polish suppliers and factories, which live at the expense of orders from German concerns. These are the problems of the Polish military strategy – in the event that the Germans decide to reduce support for Kyiv.”
Der Nordschleswiger – Denmark. In recent years, the Danish government has introduced border controls several times – and under various pretexts. Germany’s current decision will only cement a similar practice, the Danish German-language portal Der Nordschleswiger expresses such fears:
“Although according to official information [the border control declared by Germany] is temporary, in the end this announcement means the end of free movement within the European Union. … And from now on it will be possible to point the finger: look, because Germany is also engaged in control. … Of course, there is control somewhere, maybe it won’t be continued, but somewhere it will definitely be preserved, and already on the German-Danish border, at least on the Danish side, and ready.”
Neue Zürcher Zeitung – Switzerland. According to the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, border controls are not enough:
“Germany must significantly increase the number of deportations, and therefore increase diplomatic pressure on countries that refuse to cooperate in the return of their citizens. Although recent statistics show a movement in the right direction, this is not enough. Foreigners who are ordered to leave the country must no longer to receive state aid – in the extreme case, they should rely on some minimum specified in the legislation.
And most importantly, the government in Berlin should be ready to continue the reform of the individual right to political refugee status at the European level. After all, this right is hopelessly out of date and is a threat today – not only for Germany, but first of all for Germany itself.”
