Rows of EU flags fly on the bridge and on either bank. Those who cross from the German side will see a sign stating “Frankfurt Oder – Slubice” accompanied by the slogan “Noz Bez Granic” — “No Borders” in both German and Polish.
Long promoted in a joint marketing campaign by the two cities, this message of unity and borderlessness is no longer tenable after Germany, starting October 2023, and Poland, starting July 7, began conducting spot checks at their shared border.
Shifting Responsiveness to Migration
Poland has reinstated border checks at 52 crossings with Germany and 13 with Lithuania in response to Germany’s tightening migration policies, as mandated by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Following instructions from German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, the Federal Police began in May refusing entry to asylum seekers, sparking a storm of political and social controversy.
Life on the Border
The issue of migration control has engendered strong emotions in the region, as expressed by Arkadiusz, a Polish holidaymaker who questions the perceived threat posed by migrants, and his wife Dorota, who fears increased difficulty for border residents.
Lilith, a student from Frankfurt an der Oder, is worried about her Polish peers who now face more challenging commutes due to the checks.
Cyber Vigilante Movements
In addition to official border control, self-described ‘citizen patrols’ have emerged, drawing both interest and suspicion with their activities. These groups, while not extremely active around Slubice, have posted banners echoing the messages of ‘No Immigration.’
Challenges to Schengen Agreement
Alternatively, advocates for open borders, such as those from the Frankfurt Remains Colorful network, gather in support of unrestricted travel between the two countries, fearing the long-term implications of border checks for the Schengen Agreement.
Despite the political stir, the two cities of Frankfurt an der Oder and Slubice have historically symbolized European unity with deeply integrated cross-border living and working relationships. Local officials, like Slubice Mayor Marzena Slodownik, voice their concerns over the negative impact of current policies on daily life in the border region.
During Monday’s border checks, while many crossings occurred without incident, some individuals, notably two Chechen women, were turned back due to missing documentation.
While Wednesday’s crackdown seemed to target individuals perceived as potential migrants, hardly anyone was denied entry altogether, and the controls continued without any major disturbances.
This article was originally written in German.
