Poland says Germany's border control plans are 'unacceptable'

Poland has sharply criticized the German government's plans to introduce temporary controls at all of Germany's land border crossings in a bid to combat irregular migration.

"This approach is unacceptable," said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw on Tuesday, adding that the measures would mean the effective suspension of Europe's passport-free Schengen area.

"What Poland needs is not an increase in controls at our border, but greater involvement of countries such as Germany in guarding and securing the EU's external borders," Tusk added.

The prime minister went on to say that his government would ask other countries affected by the German government's decision for urgent consultations on steps to be taken within the EU.

On Monday, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser ordered temporary controls at all German land borders to curb the number of unauthorized entries. The additional checks are to begin on Monday and will initially last for six months.

Stationary controls have already been in place at the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland since October 2023. These have been repeatedly extended and will currently run until December 15.

Similar measures, which Germany introduced to deter irregular migration, have been in place at the German-Austrian land border since September 2015. The newly ordered border controls concern the land frontiers with France, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.