Poland is starting sudden border checks on the border with Germany from today. They will be carried out randomly at a total of 52 checkpoints, authorities announced, quoted by DPA, BTA reports.
The measure, which is temporary in nature, was announced last week by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The decision comes in response to stricter controls introduced by the German side on the same border.
Poland and Germany, as well as most European Union countries, are part of the Schengen area, which in principle abolishes border controls between its members. However, from October 2023, Germany will carry out random checks on the border with Poland. After the inauguration of the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, known for his tough stance on migration issues, the controls have been further tightened.
The Polish checks began at midnight and will initially continue until August 5. During this period, Warsaw plans to carry out checks on the border with Lithuania.
The border services say they will focus mainly on buses, vans and cars with many passengers, as well as on vehicles with tinted windows.
Earlier this week, the German government said it would start turning back asylum seekers at the Polish border, which caused political tension in Warsaw.
According to data from the German Interior Ministry, 1,300 people who were denied entry to Germany have been stopped and returned at the Polish border since May 8 alone.