German parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn has defended the recent tightening of border controls and dismissed concerns regarding the potential for migrants to be shuttled between Germany and Poland following Poland’s increased border monitoring. Speaking to RTL and ntv broadcasters, Spahn stated that robust agreements are in place between the two nations to prevent such scenarios.
Spahn emphasized that individuals arriving in Germany to seek asylum have typically traversed multiple safe countries where adequate protection is feasible. He reiterated the principle of the EU’s Dublin Regulation, which stipulates that asylum applications should be submitted in the first EU member state entered. “If the Dublin Agreement were functioning as intended, the number of asylum applications in Germany would be zero. This is not the case, quite the contrary” he added.
Acknowledging Germany’s historically high asylum application numbers, Spahn asserted the necessity of policy adjustments. He clarified that the tighter border controls are not intended to cause friction with neighboring countries, but rather to safeguard Germany and its population from being overwhelmed.
Spahn highlighted the need to alleviate the strain on numerous cities and municipalities struggling to manage irregular migration. He noted a decline in asylum numbers, attributed in part to the effectiveness of the implemented border measures, referencing the work of Interior Minister Dobrindt.
Regular dialogue is reportedly ongoing between Interior Minister Dobrindt, Chancellor Merz and neighboring countries, including Poland. The objective is to forge broader European solutions, including the enhanced border protection measures currently being implemented by Poland along its borders with Lithuania and Belarus, which aligns with Germany’s strategic goals.
