The current extensive border controls in Germany are increasingly unsustainable, according to the Federal Police Commissioner, Uli Grötsch. In an interview with “Der Spiegel” Grötsch expressed concerns that the federal reserve police force is nearing its operational limits, citing a sharp rise in overtime hours.
These concerns arise from a situation where border controls were initially mandated a year ago by former Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. Following her departure, the newly appointed Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt further intensified these controls, authorizing the potential rejection of asylum seekers at the borders. While asylum application numbers have since decreased to their lowest monthly figures since February 2021, the strain on police resources remains a significant issue.
Grötsch argues that the current level of border controls is no longer justified by the circumstances. He, a former SPD Member of Parliament and police officer, highlighted a changed operational landscape, suggesting a need for a reevaluation of the control system. The Federal Police now face the urgent task of determining how controls can be structured to remain both manageable and effective. Potential solutions, according to Grötsch, might include aerial surveillance of specific border regions, allowing for a more targeted and sustainable approach to border security.