Schengen Under Strain: Germany and Poland's Border Tensions Over Migration

 

The cornerstone of European integration, the Schengen Area, which allows passport-free travel across much of the continent, is facing renewed pressure. The latest challenge comes from the border between Germany and Poland, where both nations have recently implemented or significantly tightened controls in response to a surge in irregular migration. This bilateral tension highlights broader issues within the EU regarding burden-sharing and the management of external borders, potentially eroding the principle of free movement that Schengen embodies.

For months, Germany has observed a notable increase in the number of asylum seekers entering its territory, with a significant proportion arriving via Poland. While some migration routes involve direct journeys, concerns have also been raised about migrants potentially being facilitated through Belarus and onward through Poland. This rise in arrivals led German authorities to declare that existing measures were insufficient. Consequently, Germany informed the European Commission and its neighbors of its decision to reintroduce temporary internal border controls along its frontiers with Poland and the Czech Republic, effective from mid-October 2023. These controls are framed as a necessary step to combat smuggling, limit irregular migration, and ensure national security, allowing for checks on individuals and vehicles.

Poland, while critical of Germany's move which causes inconvenience for Polish citizens and freight, has also been active in reinforcing its own border security, particularly with Belarus. Poland's primary focus has been on preventing migrants allegedly pushed by the Belarusian regime from crossing, including the construction of a border barrier. However, concerns in Germany suggest that while Poland secures its eastern border, transit through Poland towards Western Europe remains a significant factor in the migration flows affecting Germany.

This situation creates a Catch-22. Germany feels compelled to impose controls due to arrivals it attributes, in part, to routes passing through Poland. Poland, while reinforcing its eastern flank, views Germany's internal controls as an overreaction that disrupts normal traffic and undermines the spirit of Schengen. The core issue revolves around differing national pressures and perspectives on migration management within the shared space of the European Union.

The reintroduction of internal border controls by a key member state like Germany, even on a temporary basis, raises fundamental questions about the long-term viability and integrity of the Schengen system. While the Schengen Borders Code allows for temporary reintroduction of checks under specific circumstances (such as a serious threat to public policy or internal security), their prolonged or frequent use by member states erodes trust and functionality. It burdens cross-border commuters, trade, and tourism, symbolizing a step back from deeper integration. The situation between Germany and Poland is a stark reminder that the success of Schengen relies not only on the absence of internal borders but also on effective cooperation and solidarity in managing external borders and asylum procedures across all member states. Finding a common European approach to migration remains paramount to safeguarding the future of the passport-free zone.

The tension between Germany and Poland over migration flows highlights the fragility of the Schengen system in the face of external pressures and national interests. Resolving this issue requires not just bilateral coordination but a renewed commitment to shared responsibility and effective common policies at the EU level to ensure that the benefits of free movement can be preserved for all.

Sumber:

- [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-starts-border-checks-with-poland-czech-republic-curb-migration-2023-10-16/)

- [Politico Europe](https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-poland-clash-migration-schengen/)

- [Deutsche Welle](https://www.dw.com/en/germany-schengen-under-pressure-from-border-controls/a-67119754)