German government under pressure to end border controls with Poland and Czechia

The German political scene is grappling with a growing dispute concerning the future of temporary controls on the European Union's internal borders. The Schengen Area remains one of the foundations of European integration; however, since October 2023, Germany has been applying derogations from this principle to curb illegal migration. The latest data indicates a significant drop in the number of apprehensions, which has become the main argument for opponents of further restrictions. The European Affairs Minister of Brandenburg, Robert Crumbach, has called for an end to the controls by summer 2026 at the latest. In his view, the turning point should be the implementation of the CEAS reform, scheduled for June 2026. Crumbach emphasizes that maintaining the blockades harms the regional economy and the freedom of movement of citizens. wrzesień 2026 — until this deadline, the Federal Ministry of the Interior intends to maintain controls Simultaneously, the Police Trade Union (GdP) is advocating for a reduction in forces stationed directly on the border with Poland. The chairman of the regional GdP branch, Andreas Broska, points out that with the decreasing number of incidents on the actual border line, officers are more needed in other places, such as railway stations or transport hubs, where the level of criminal threat remains high. Unionists argue that the current staffing situation requires more flexible management of Bundespolizei resources. Germany introduced controls on land borders with Poland, Czechia, and Switzerland in October 2023 in response to a sharp increase in asylum applications and the activity of smuggling groups. „Repeatedly extended controls on internal borders threaten the achievements of the integration process and are problematic from the perspective of European law.” — Robert Crumbach Despite the pressure, Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt firmly insists on continuing the current measures. This dispute illustrates Germany's broader dilemma: the attempt to reconcile the requirements of internal security and control of migration processes with the idea of an open Europe. The decision on whether the controls will expire in the summer or be maintained until autumn will be crucial for relations with Visegrad Group neighbors. The lack of precise statistical data on the number of refugees in individual months prevents the creation of a line chart, but the text confirms a downward trend since 2023. Emphasizes the negative impact of controls on civil rights and the economy, promoting open borders and a systemic solution through CEAS. | Focuses on the necessity of protecting borders as a tool in the fight against illegal migration and ensuring public safety.