Poland has reintroduced border controls with neighboring Germany and Lithuania, following similar restrictions imposed earlier this year by Germany. The move aims to curb what Polish authorities describe as illegal migration and discourage asylum-seekers from entering the country.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the measures last week, shortly after surviving a confidence vote in parliament. The decision comes amid mounting pressure from far-right groups in Poland, which have accused Germany of transporting migrants into Polish territory after reaching Western Europe.
The border checks, which started overnight on Sunday, will initially last for 30 days. Authorities have indicated they may extend the controls beyond this period if necessary, according to the Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration.
“Illegal migration is simply a crime,” said Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak during a news conference on Sunday.
Border checks will be conducted at 13 points along the 104-kilometer border with Lithuania and at 52 crossing points on the 467-kilometer border with Germany.
Germany, under new leadership since May, has also ramped up border security. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who campaigned on a tougher migration policy, ordered additional police presence at the border and signaled that some asylum-seekers attempting to enter Germany would be turned away.
Last week, Merz stated that Poland and Germany were working closely to minimize the impact of Germany’s border controls.
As part of the Schengen Agreement, most EU citizens can travel freely across borders without passport checks. However, the EU allows member states to temporarily reintroduce border controls in response to serious threats such as internal security concerns. These measures are intended as a last resort and must be limited in time.
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