Federal Minister for Justice, Stefanie Hubig of the SPD, argues that the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) removes any justification for conducting border checks within German borders. Hubig told the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland,” noting that the initial consensus was that border controls within the EU should only be a temporary measure, as they were placing excessive strain on the border areas.
Coming from Rhineland-Palatinate, Hubig pointed out the negative impact on commuters who travel to France and Luxembourg, stating that the border checks severely impede their movement. Furthermore, she mentioned that the federal police force is also under massive strain from these operations, resulting in increasing overtime month after month.
According to the SPD politician, the proper resolution is to enhance the protection of the EU’s external borders. With the Common European Asylum System coming into effect on Friday, she believes this necessary strengthening will eventually make the grounds for internal German border controls obsolete.
