Woidke Advocates for Joint Border Controls Between Germany and Poland

The Prime Minister of Brandenburg, Dietmar Woidke, has expressed the need for enhanced coordination between Germany and Poland regarding border controls. In a recent statement, he emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two nations to strengthen the security of Germany's external borders. Woidke highlighted that while the federal government bears responsibility for border security, there remains significant room for improvement in cooperation with Poland.

Having previously served as the coordinator for Polish affairs, Woidke raised questions about the lack of joint border controls conducted by the police forces of both countries. He called for a definitive signal from the German federal government to facilitate this collaboration.

Since October 2023, Germany has been conducting sporadic checks at its border with Poland. Under the leadership of Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, these checks were intensified in May, aiming to curb unauthorized entries into the country. This policy has also led to the rejection of individuals who express a desire to seek asylum. Recently, Poland announced its plans to implement its own border controls starting next week.

The increased scrutiny from German authorities has already resulted in longer wait times on the Polish side of the border. The Polish government has projected that the introduction of additional controls could further exacerbate traffic congestion in the region. Areas like Görlitz and Zgorzelec, as well as Frankfurt (Oder) and Slubice, are likely to be significantly impacted.

In an effort to mitigate traffic disruptions, the Federal Police are currently evaluating potential structural modifications to the A12 highway. Both Woidke and his Polish counterpart, Marcin Jablonski, the Marshal of the Lubusz Voivodeship, have approached the federal government to request the addition of a third lane to ease traffic flow in border areas.