CDU leader Friedrich Merz faces potential tensions with Poland over planned intensified border controls and returns. According to Jan Tombinski, the business representative and de-facto ambassador of Poland in Berlin, the current border controls at the German-Polish border are already a problem for daily traffic and the functioning of the EU internal market. He refers to measures already imposed by the coalition government that have caused long traffic jams on roads leading from Poland to Germany.
Tombinski warns that he does not want to see a further intensification of border controls. He emphasizes that Poland is committed to protecting the European external border, particularly against Russia and Belarus, but also expects the freedom of movement within the European Schengen area to be maintained. He warns that it will be difficult for Polish citizens to understand why they are investing in their external border while facing intensified controls at the German border.
When asked about Poland’s willingness to accept returns of migrants, Tombinski stated that Poland is committed to EU legislation, including the new Common European Asylum System (GEAS) policy. Merz and his designated Chancellor’s Chief, Thorsten Frei, had announced that they want to implement the intensified controls from the first day of their leadership. This could potentially lead to a conflict for the future Chancellor during his planned visit to Donald Tusk in Warsaw next Wednesday, despite Merz’s promise of close coordination with neighboring countries like Poland on migration issues.
The topic is particularly sensitive in Poland as presidential elections are scheduled for May 18th. Current President Andrzej Duda is blocking important laws from Tusk and also the appointment of Tombinski as ambassador, leading to Tombinski’s current role as the business representative of Poland in Berlin.