German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt Stands by Border Control Measures Despite Court Ruling
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has announced that he will not be swayed by the recent court ruling, which deemed his government’s decision to turn back asylum seekers at the German border to be unlawful. Despite the Berlin Administrative Court’s verdict, Dobrindt remains committed to his course of action, citing the need to protect the public order and the country’s internal security.
In an interview with the Funke-Mediengruppe, Dobrindt stated that the court’s decision did not adequately address the government’s justification for applying Article 72 of the European Union’s Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, a provision that allows for exceptions to the normal rules of the EU. The minister claimed that the government will provide a more comprehensive justification, but ultimately, the European Court of Justice should make the final decision on the matter.
Dobrindt emphasized that he will not be deterred by the court’s ruling and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening border controls. He argued that the measures are necessary to prevent the rise of radical political forces, such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which could implement extreme solutions.
When asked about the nature of the crisis, Dobrindt replied that it stems from the fact that Germany is overburdened in many important areas of life. Cities, municipalities and counties are at their limits, with the housing market, kindergartens and schools, as well as the healthcare system, all facing significant challenges. The minister believes that this overburdening has created a need for the protection of public order.
Dobrindt also strongly condemned the threats and intimidation directed at the Berlin Administrative Court judges. He argued that criticism of judicial decisions is acceptable in a democratic society, but the use of violence and intimidation against judges is absolutely unacceptable.