sueddeutsche.de
Illegal Polish Border Checks Fuel Tensions with Germany
Self-proclaimed Polish border guards, supported by far-right groups, illegally check the German border, alleging Germany sends criminals to destabilize Poland; Germany had 3,777 border turnbacks (September 2024-April 2025), while Poland plans increased border controls with Lithuania, citing migrants from Belarus.
- What are the long-term implications of Poland's approach to migration and the potential consequences for EU-wide asylum policies and the rule of law within the EU?
- The German government's refusal to accept asylum applications at the border violates existing EU law, even after the new asylum compromise. Poland's resistance to the EU's Common European Asylum System (CEAS) reform, despite already hosting numerous Ukrainian refugees, highlights tensions over migration policies. The upcoming summit on the Zugspitze to discuss stricter asylum laws suggests further challenges in EU-wide migration management.",
- What are the immediate consequences of the illegal border checks conducted by self-proclaimed Polish border guards, and how does this impact German-Polish relations?
- Self-proclaimed Polish border guards, recruited by far-right MP Robert Bąkiewicz, are illegally conducting checks at the German border, alleging Germany is intentionally sending thousands of criminals to destabilize Poland. The German Federal Police reported 3,777 people were turned back between September 2024 and April 2025. Poland also plans to increase border controls with Lithuania, citing similar concerns.",
- How do the actions of the Polish government regarding migrants at the border relate to the broader political context and the upcoming implementation of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS)?
- Bąkiewicz's claims are supported by the right-wing PiS party. While the number of migrants arriving via the Belarus-EU border is lower than the Mediterranean route (200,000 arrivals in 2024 via the Mediterranean, compared to over 25,000 calls for help received by aid workers on the Belarus border since September 2021), Poland's actions reflect a broader anti-immigration stance. Poland's government claims only 17,000 asylum applications in 2024, with most from Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.",
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the situation primarily from a Polish perspective, highlighting the concerns and actions of Polish officials while downplaying or omitting the German perspective. The headline (if one were to be created) would likely emphasize the illegal Polish border controls or Polish government narratives. The use of loaded terms such as "Verschwörungserzählung" (conspiracy narrative) when describing Bąkiewicz's claims immediately frames his perspective negatively, influencing the reader's interpretation before providing counter-arguments. The focus on the number of asylum applications in Poland versus those arriving via the Mediterranean route implicitly suggests that Poland's refugee intake is manageable, disregarding other factors like resources and infrastructure.
Language Bias
The article uses loaded language in describing Bąkiewicz's statements as a "Verschwörungserzählung" (conspiracy theory), negatively framing his position before presenting further information. While attempting to be neutral, certain phrasing (e.g., describing Poland's actions with regards to asylum seekers) can be interpreted as subtly critical. The use of words like "vorsätzlich" (intentionally/deliberately) to describe actions of both German and Belarusian officials is presented without further evidence of intent, creating implicit bias.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the actions and statements of Polish officials and omits perspectives from German officials and asylum seekers. The experiences of those seeking asylum are largely absent, replaced by aggregate numbers and the opinions of Polish politicians and organizations. While mentioning the existence of German border controls and resulting returns, the article lacks detail on Germany's justification and procedures. The article also omits discussion of international legal frameworks beyond the mention of the GEAS reform and its potential impact on Poland. The lack of diverse perspectives limits the reader's ability to form a fully informed opinion.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a simplified eitheor scenario: Poland is either overwhelmed by asylum seekers or complicit in a German conspiracy to destabilize the country. It neglects the complexity of migration flows, the varied reasons for seeking asylum, and the multifaceted challenges faced by both countries. The presentation of Tusk's position as either opposing or complying with GEAS ignores the possibility of nuanced interpretations or strategic considerations.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights illegal border controls by self-proclaimed Polish border guards, fueled by conspiracy theories and supported by right-wing political figures. This undermines the rule of law, international cooperation, and peaceful resolution of migration challenges, directly impacting SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The actions of the Polish government and right-wing figures are causing instability and challenging the established legal frameworks for managing migration. The disregard for EU law and the spread of misinformation further contribute to this negative impact.