Poland’s top diplomat in Berlin has criticized Germany’s incoming government for its plan to impose stricter border controls, warning that such measures could disrupt daily cross-border traffic and strain the EU internal market.
With Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz and his coalition government set to take office next Tuesday, controversy has emerged over their commitment to introduce tighter migration controls. Merz’s conservative bloc, in partnership with the center-left Social Democrats, has pledged a hardline stance on migration as part of its broader push to win back right-leaning voters.
“Anyone who tries to enter Germany illegally must expect to be stopped at the German border from May 6,” said Thorsten Frei, the incoming head of the Chancellery, earlier this week.
Polish Ambassador to Germany Jan Tombiński voiced concern over the impact of these plans. “The current controls at the German-Polish border are already a problem for daily border traffic and the functioning of the EU internal market,” Tombiński told POLITICO. “We therefore do not want to see a tightening of border controls.”
When asked about Poland’s stance on returning asylum-seekers, Tombiński reaffirmed that Warsaw remains committed to its obligations under EU law, specifically the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), which prohibits rejecting asylum-seekers at internal EU borders.
The German position has also drawn legal scrutiny. A spokesperson for Austria’s interior ministry reminded that “the European Court of Justice has ruled that informal returns are not legally possible when an application for asylum is made,” though expressed confidence that Germany’s actions would remain lawful.
Merz is expected to travel to Warsaw on Wednesday, where he will need to explain and possibly defend his border policy to Polish officials. This could prove diplomatically sensitive, as one of his campaign promises was to improve relations with neighboring countries, including Poland.
Incoming Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt signaled that Berlin aims to press for faster reforms at the European level. “CEAS is going in the right direction, but is too slow,” he said, noting that talks with EU partners are already underway.
Still, doubts remain about Germany’s capacity to implement such policies. Jochen Kopelke, head of the country’s police union, warned that enforcing comprehensive border checks would require at least 20,000 additional officers. “We do not consider comprehensive controls and returns at German borders to be realistically feasible,” he said, citing Germany’s extensive 3,700-kilometer border.
The United States has officially designated two major Haitian gang coalitions as foreign terrorist organizations, in a move aimed at curbing escalating violence and instability in the Caribbean nation.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, held separate phone calls with the foreign ministers of Denmark and Panama to discuss rising regional tensions and reaffirm Islamabad’s position on India’s recent actions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters
British Trade Minister Jonathan Reynolds is meeting his Indian counterpart, Piyush Goyal, in London on Friday, May 2, in a final push to seal the long-awaited free trade agreement after earlier talks this week ended without a deal, a UK government spokesperson said.
Australians voiced a mix of optimism and apathy Friday as they geared up to vote in Saturday’s tight national election, with cost-of-living pressures, housing affordability and U.S. tariff tensions shaping the contest.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 3rd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Britain’s Prince Harry says he is deeply disappointed after a UK court upheld the decision to deny him full police protection.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington next week to address rising trade tensions and future relations.
At least six migrants have died attempting to reach Europe, as Libya remains a key — and dangerous — transit point for those fleeing poverty and conflict.
Australians head to the polls in a closely watched national election, with cost-of-living and global instability shaping voter concerns.
A deadly explosion at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port has left at least 40 dead, with more than 1,200 people injured, state media reported on Sunday, halting operations at one of the country’s most vital trade hubs.
A vehicle crashed into a crowd at a Filipino festival in Vancouver, killing 11 and injuring dozens.
A massive explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran on Saturday killed at least four people and injured nearly 600 others, officials said, prompting an urgent government investigation.
New Tesla registrations in Denmark collapsed 67 % in April to 180 vehicles, industry data showed Thursday, underscoring a sharp demand drop for the EV maker in one of its once-strong European markets.
Roman Catholic cardinals will meet in a secret conclave to elect the new leader of the global Church starting from May 7, a senior Vatican source said on Monday.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 3rd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Britain’s Prince Harry says he is deeply disappointed after a UK court upheld the decision to deny him full police protection.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington next week to address rising trade tensions and future relations.
At least six migrants have died attempting to reach Europe, as Libya remains a key — and dangerous — transit point for those fleeing poverty and conflict.
Australians head to the polls in a closely watched national election, with cost-of-living and global instability shaping voter concerns.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 3rd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Britain’s Prince Harry says he is deeply disappointed after a UK court upheld the decision to deny him full police protection.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington next week to address rising trade tensions and future relations.
At least six migrants have died attempting to reach Europe, as Libya remains a key — and dangerous — transit point for those fleeing poverty and conflict.
Australians head to the polls in a closely watched national election, with cost-of-living and global instability shaping voter concerns.
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