Latest news with #Siemoniak
Miami Herald
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Poland reintroduces border controls on Germany, Lithuania
July 7 (UPI) -- The Polish government on Monday reintroduced border control measures between Lithuania and Germany due to growing public concern over what many say is irregular migration. The Polish Government Security Center said "controls at the border with Germany and Lithuania are being introduced" starting midnight on Sunday and will last until August 5. The sanctions in the passport-free Schengen zone, which includes a large part of north and western Europe, are viewed as extreme but not uncommon. "We have taken the decision that we are re-establishing temporary control at the Polish border with Germany and the Polish border with Lithuania," Prime Minister Donald Tusksaid last Tuesday during a Cabinet meeting in announcing the policy. Meanwhile, Poland's interior minister said the government's efforts were critical to cut back on irregular European migration patterns via Poland and were worsened by stricter controls at the Belarus-Polish border, which led to a spike in crossings at other border locations. "We are seeing a significant increase in illegal migrants crossing the border into Lithuania, Latvia and then traveling to Poland," according to Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak. It also arrived after criticism over Germany's decision to force back thousands of migrants into Poland after German officials claimed they illegally crossed the border. The nearly 30-day controls are being executed by hundreds of extra police and military units at 52 German border crossings and 13 with Lithuania over reports of illegal entrances via Belarus and neighboring Baltic states. "The reason for this decision is a common problem that we have as Lithuania, Poland, the European Union, that is the fight against illegal migration," added Poland's interior chief. In Lithuania, 13 locations will see border controls and three border crossings with the remaining 10 crossings to be "ad hoc" control sites used by local citizens. However, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said Saturday that his country had no plans to reintroduce border controls but called for closer cooperation. Siemoniak stressed that Poland would revoke its decision if Germany likewise "lifts its controls." "This is taking place in accordance with EU regulations and the Schengen Borders Code," stated Siemoniak. In Germany, border controls will be carried out at 52 border spots. On Tuesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke of the issue during a media conference with Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden. Merz called for stricter border policies in January while on the campaign trail after Germany introduced similar checks in 2023 on the Polish border. Germany restarted checks at all its land borders last year, which angered its allied neighbors. "Of course we want to preserve the Schengen area, but freedom of movement within it will only work in the long run if it is not exploited by those who promote illegal migration, and especially by migrant smugglers," Merz said. Poland has warned against what it claims is an attempt by Russia and Belarus to destabilize the European Union by abusing the EU's looser immigration policies and stoking anger on the far-right. Just prior to Poland's border policy going into effect at midnight, Siemoniak says Polish authorities stopped an Estonian man in an attempt to smuggle four people over the border, thought to be Afghan citizens. "This is exactly the proof we need as to how necessary these controls are," he said Monday. The prime minister added those same four previously had been registered as having attempted to previously cross illegally from Belarus. In June, Poland's parliament kept pro-EU Tusk in office in a 243-210 confidence vote, which was prompted by the narrow election victory of the right-wing PiS party of President Karol Nawrocki, who defeated a Tusk-backed candidate. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
07-07-2025
- Politics
- UPI
Poland reintroduces border controls on Germany, Lithuania
1 of 2 | "We have taken the decision that we are re-establishing temporary control at the Polish border with Germany and the Polish border with Lithuania," Prime Minister Donald Tusk (pictured March 2024 at the White House in Washington, D.C.) said last Tuesday during a Cabinet meeting in announcing the policy. Photo by Tom Brenner/UPI | License Photo July 7 (UPI) -- The Polish government on Monday reintroduced border control measures between Lithuania and Germany due to growing public concern over what many say is irregular migration. The Polish Government Security Center said "controls at the border with Germany and Lithuania are being introduced" starting midnight on Sunday and will last until August 5. The sanctions in the passport-free Schengen zone, which includes a large part of north and western Europe, are viewed as extreme but not uncommon. "We have taken the decision that we are re-establishing temporary control at the Polish border with Germany and the Polish border with Lithuania," Prime Minister Donald Tusk said last Tuesday during a Cabinet meeting in announcing the policy. Meanwhile, Poland's interior minister said the government's efforts were critical to cut back on irregular European migration patterns via Poland and were worsened by stricter controls at the Belarus-Polish border, which led to a spike in crossings at other border locations. "We are seeing a significant increase in illegal migrants crossing the border into Lithuania, Latvia and then traveling to Poland," according to Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak. It also arrived after criticism over Germany's decision to force back thousands of migrants into Poland after German officials claimed they illegally crossed the border. The nearly 30-day controls are being executed by hundreds of extra police and military units at 52 German border crossings and 13 with Lithuania over reports of illegal entrances via Belarus and neighboring Baltic states. "The reason for this decision is a common problem that we have as Lithuania, Poland, the European Union, that is the fight against illegal migration," added Poland's interior chief. In Lithuania, 13 locations will see border controls and three border crossings with the remaining 10 crossings to be "ad hoc" control sites used by local citizens. However, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said Saturday that his country had no plans to reintroduce border controls but called for closer cooperation. Siemoniak stressed that Poland would revoke its decision if Germany likewise "lifts its controls." "This is taking place in accordance with EU regulations and the Schengen Borders Code," stated Siemoniak. In Germany, border controls will be carried out at 52 border spots. On Tuesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke of the issue during a media conference with Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden. Merz called for stricter border policies in January while on the campaign trail after Germany introduced similar checks in 2023 on the Polish border. Germany restarted checks at all its land borders last year, which angered its allied neighbors. "Of course we want to preserve the Schengen area, but freedom of movement within it will only work in the long run if it is not exploited by those who promote illegal migration, and especially by migrant smugglers," Merz said. Poland has warned against what it claims is an attempt by Russia and Belarus to destabilize the European Union by abusing the EU's looser immigration policies and stoking anger on the far-right. Just prior to Poland's border policy going into effect at midnight, Siemoniak says Polish authorities stopped an Estonian man in an attempt to smuggle four people over the border, thought to be Afghan citizens. "This is exactly the proof we need as to how necessary these controls are," he said Monday. The prime minister added those same four previously had been registered as having attempted to previously cross illegally from Belarus. In June, Poland's parliament kept pro-EU Tusk in office in a 243-210 confidence vote, which was prompted by the narrow election victory of the right-wing PiS party of President Karol Nawrocki, who defeated a Tusk-backed candidate.
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Poland reintroduces border controls with Germany in migrant crackdown after new nationalist president's 'Poles first' agenda
Poland temporarily reintroduced border controls with Germany and Lithuania at midnight Sunday, saying they are needed to control 'illegal immigration'. The issue was central to June's presidential election where nationalist Karol Nawrocki - who ran on a slogan of 'Poland first, Poles first' - narrowly defeated the candidate backed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Tusk government is now seeking to outflank its rivals by taking a tough approach to immigration. Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said Sunday the decision was taken purely to combat 'illegal immigration' and insisted Poles and other EU nationals would not face inconvenience. In total, 52 checkpoints have been set up on the border with Germany and 13 with Lithuania, the minister said. The controls will last from 7 July to 5 August but could be extended. They will mostly consist of spot inspections, particularly of vehicles carrying several people, Polish officials said. Germany reintroduced temporary checks on the border with Poland in November 2023. Warsaw last month began to accuse Berlin of sending irregular migrants arriving from Poland back across the border. 'The German side is now actually refusing to authorise the entry of migrants heading to Germany to request asylum or obtain another type of status,' Tusk said Tuesday. The controls on Lithuania's border were introduced to stop migrants coming in from Belarus, according to Poland. Nationalist and far-right politicians accuse Tusk's government of having 'abdicated' to Germany on migration and of allowing Berlin to overwhelm Poland with migrants. In late June, members of a far-right party gathered at several points along the border to set up 'citizens' patrols', which the government insists are illegal. The German interior ministry last week said it would 'do everything possible to find a good solution, a good joint solution'. The Germans have proposed joint patrols but the Poles have refused.
Int'l Business Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Poland Starts Border Checks With Germany In Anti-migrant Clampdown
Poland reimposed checks on its borders with EU neighbours Germany and Lithuania on Monday in a bid to crack down on irregular migration amid surging anti-immigrant sentiment creating political pressure in Berlin and Warsaw. Border guards and military police could be seen looking into passing cars and occasionally stopping vehicles for document checks on the bridge connecting the Polish town of Slubice with Frankfurt an der Oder in Germany. The new checks are a response to growing anti-migrant sentiment on both sides of the border. Poland says hundreds of migrants, mostly from the Middle East, cross into the Baltic states from Belarus every month, then travel through Poland into Germany. The issue has become a particularly sensitive one in Polish domestic politics and has led to tensions with Germany. Warsaw has accused Berlin of sending the irregular migrants it manages to intercept back into Poland. "The checks being implemented aim to combat illegal migration," Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak was quoted as saying by his ministry on X. Shortly after the new checks came into force on Monday, Polish border guards detained a man for assisting irregular migration. The Estonian national is accused of transporting four irregular migrants, believed to be from Afghanistan. Siemoniak said the detention was "proof that these checks are necessary". Germany, which introduced checks on the border with Poland in 2023, has welcomed the Polish initiative and called for collaboration against a common problem. Speaking to the daily Rheinische Post, the head of German police union GdP, Andreas Rosskopf, said the two countries needed a "workable procedure". He warned against Polish and German border guards engaging in a "ping-pong game" with asylum seekers by sending them back and forth. Representatives of German business associations have also voiced concern. "We are receiving worrying feedback from the business community," Helena Melnikov, chief executive of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), told the Handelsblatt newspaper. "If commuters can no longer get to work reliably and on time at the German-Polish border, there is an increased risk that they will look for work elsewhere on a permanent basis -- with consequences for the shortage of skilled workers in border regions," she said. Marek Klodnicki, an administrative employee who lives in Slubice but works in Germany, said the re-introduction of border controls was "very sad". "We have waited so long for open borders," he said, adding that the checks would result in "a disruption in social and economic life". Business owners, particularly hairdressers and tobacco shops, which get a lot of custom from Germans crossing the border, also voiced concern the checks could disrupt business. "Ninety percent of our customers are Germans. We may have less traffic, less revenue," Kinga Dziuba, a 29-year-old cigarette vendor, told AFP. But Dziuba said the checks were "very much needed" to control migration, adding: "Security is more important to me than trade". The issue of migration was central to June's presidential election in Poland, where nationalist Karol Nawrocki -- who ran on a slogan of "Poland first, Poles first" -- narrowly defeated the candidate backed by pro-European Union Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Tusk government is now seeking to outflank its rivals by taking a tougher approach to immigration. In total, 52 checkpoints have been set up on the border with Germany and 13 with Lithuania, Siemoniak said. The controls will last from July 7 to August 5 but could be extended. They will mostly consist of spot inspections, particularly of vehicles carrying several people, officials said. In June, members of a far-right movement gathered at several points along the border to set up "citizens' patrols", which the government insists are illegal. In Slubice, Edyta Taryma, a 54-year-old hair salon owner, said her revenues had already dropped by 20 percent after Germany re-imposed border controls. "A great many people did not come, or came less often, because they were afraid of traffic jams," she said. She called the checks "unnecessary". Poland has temporarily reintroduced border controls with its EU neighbours Germany and Lithuania, saying they are needed to counter 'illegal immigration' AFP Polish border guards check drivers at the Polish-German border in Slubice, western Poland AFP
Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Poland imposes checks on German and Lithuanian borders amid migration fears
WARSAW, - Poland introduced temporary controls on its borders with Germany and Lithuania on Monday in an effort to stem what the government says is an increasing number of undocumented migrants crossing from the north and west. Poland imposes checks on German and Lithuanian borders amid migration fears The re-imposition of border checks is just the latest example of how mounting public concerns across the European Union over migration are straining the fabric of the bloc's passport-free Schengen zone. The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany itself have already implemented similar measures. In Poland, the debate over migration has become increasingly heated in recent weeks, with groups of far-right activists launching "citizens' patrols" on the western border amid Polish media reports of German authorities sending undocumented migrants back across the frontier. "Everything is proceeding without incident," Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak told private broadcaster TVN24 on Monday after the controls came into effect. "Traffic is currently moving smoothly, 800 police officers, 200 gendarmerie soldiers, 500 territorial army soldiers, all services... are in full readiness." Speaking at a midnight press conference on the German border when the checks began, Siemoniak also said only state officials such as border guards were authorised to check vehicles entering Poland, in a reference to the "citizens' patrols". The border guard said in a post on X it had detained an Estonian citizen on Poland's border with Lithuania for transporting four illegal migrants believed to be Afghans. HARDENING PUBLIC MOOD Public sentiment in Poland towards migrants has hardened since a 24-year-old woman was killed in the city of Torun by a Venezuelan citizen in June. On Sunday some 10,000 people took part in a march organised by nationalist activists in remembrance of her. Meanwhile on Saturday evening a Polish man died after being stabbed during a fight in Nowe, northern Poland. A Colombian citizen was arrested on suspicion of being responsible. Police said on Monday they had detained a total of 13 people in connection with the incident - three Poles and 10 Colombians. State new channel TVP Info showed angry crowds gathering in the town outside the workers' hostel where the Colombians lived. Human rights activists condemned the "citizens' patrols". "The actions of these self-proclaimed groups are the result of a radicalising political narrative that presents migration as a threat, which fuels social fears and distrust of state institutions," the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights said in a statement on Friday. "The Foundation once again appeals for an honest and reliable public debate on the migration situation and border policy, based on facts, not fear and manipulation." This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
