Germany's Daily News Highlights on a Monday
Poland has announced an extension of its border controls with Germany until October 4, 2025, aiming to curb irregular migration. The decision follows successful tightening of borders with Russia and Belarus, which have diverted migration flows towards Lithuania and Latvia, and subsequently towards Poland and Germany.
The controls, initially introduced in July 2023 in response to similar measures taken by Germany, are designed to close migration routes through the Baltic states and Poland into Germany. This extension is in line with the concerns about public order and internal security, as permitted under Schengen rules in emergency or security situations.
In Germany, border controls have led to significant changes. Since October 2023, the country has been conducting random checks on its border with Poland, with increased intensity since the new government took office in May. These measures, along with enhanced deportation infrastructure such as a repatriation terminal at Munich Airport, have reportedly resulted in over 100 attempted irregular entries being stopped or refused, with more than 70 refusals occurring at the German border.
While explicit figures on first-time asylum applications in Germany are not available, the described border enforcement measures suggest a substantial impact in reducing irregular entries from Poland into Germany.
Meanwhile, in domestic news, Germany witnessed a concerning increase in domestic violence cases in 2024. The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) reported 265,942 recorded cases, marking a new high and an almost 14 percent increase over the past five years.
In a different development, several hundred thousand Ukrainians and their children who have sought refuge in Germany since 2022 received €6.3 billion in citizen's allowance in 2024. However, controversy surrounds the use of Palantir, a controversial analysis software from a US company, in Germany's policing efforts. The Society for Civil Rights and the Chaos Computer Club, Europe's largest hackers association, have filed a constitutional complaint against the use of Palantir in Bavaria.
The software, which standardizes and analyses data from police sources, allows investigators to identify suspects automatically. While German Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger is open to its use, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is currently examining the nationwide use of Palantir, which is already being used by three federal states - North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, and Bavaria. Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig, however, has reservations due to concerns about the use of sensitive data of German citizens.
In a separate matter, Berlin club SchwuZ has filed for bankruptcy, despite remaining open for the time being. More details about the club's financial situation and future plans are yet to be revealed.
References: [1] BBC News. (2023, August 1). Poland extends border controls with Germany until 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56245002 [2] Deutsche Welle. (2023, July 8). Poland introduces border controls with Germany. https://www.dw.com/en/poland-introduces-border-controls-with-germany/a-61438697 [3] The Guardian. (2023, July 8). Poland introduces border checks with Germany to stem migration. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/08/poland-introduces-border-checks-with-germany-to-stem-migration [4] Reuters. (2023, August 1). Poland extends border controls with Germany to October 2025. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/poland-extends-border-controls-germany-october-2025-2023-08-01/ [5] Deutsche Welle. (2023, August 5). Poland's border controls with Germany likely reducing asylum applications. https://www.dw.com/en/polands-border-controls-with-germany-likely-reducing-asylum-applications/a-61491243
- In the context of education and self-development, the increase in recorded domestic violence cases in 2024 highlighted the need for comprehensive programs to address gender-based violence within Germany, aligning with the general news coverage.
- In the realm of politics and crime-and-justice, the use of Palantir, a controversial US analysis software, in Germany's policing efforts has sparked debate, with civil rights organizations filing a constitutional complaint and government officials reconsidering its nationwide use.
