BERLIN – There is more than one controversial diplomatic front on which the Federal Republic is involved in the immigration issue. As if the dispute with Italy were not enough, which could be clarified tomorrow with Antonio Tajani’s visit to Berlin, Germany is on the doorstep of a very serious problem. In fact, there is currently an open crisis with Poland due to the ongoing wave of refugees from the eastern border into German territory, so the government intends to reintroduce strict controls on the border between the two countries.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser confirmed the plan and said contacts were already underway with Polish authorities to coordinate controls “necessary to stop the criminal gangs” filtering migrants into Germany.
But what further poisoned the already tense climate between Berlin and Warsaw were the statements made by Chancellor Scholz, who linked the increase in arrivals to the Schengen visa scandal, which corrupt officials at the Polish consulates in Africa allegedly targeted thousands of people against would have granted money. Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau reacted harshly to Scholz’s request for clarification and accused the Chancellor of “interfering in Poland’s internal affairs and the ongoing election campaign.” Rau called on Scholz to “respect Poland’s sovereignty and avoid statements that harm our relations.”
Which sounds strange, to say the least, considering that he is a member of PiS, the far-right nationalist ruling party that has focused on old anti-German stereotypes ahead of the October 15 elections and has even raised the issue of war reparations People’s opposition candidate, former President of the European Council Donald Tusk, accused him of being in the service of Germany. Scholz’s spokesman rejected the accusation of interference, but said clearly that Berlin expects the Polish government to clarify all aspects of the visa scandal. The European Commission has also asked Warsaw to answer a list of questions on the issue by October 3, which could have devastating consequences for the Pis at the electoral level.