- Herrmann conducts a midpoint assessment of the border patrol's performance
Amidst the controversy about turning away refugees at Germany's border, Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann and Justice Minister Georg Eisenreich (both from CSU) are planning to check out a border patrol station in Burghausen today (11:00 AM). Herrmann intends to sum up the Bavarian Border Police's performance during his visit and emphasize the need, according to him, for a stronger stance against unauthorized immigration.
The Bavarian Border Police sets itself apart as a remarkable unit in the Free State, working alongside the Federal Police and offering extra support, especially during border surveillance and occasional border checks. In recent times, Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder (CSU) pointed out over 100,000 occurrences of surveillance activity solely by the Bavarian Border Police within the system.
The border dividing Bavaria and Austria serves as a preferred route for smugglers who bring refugees into Germany illegally. These refugees have already entered Europe through the so-called Balkan route. According to Herrmann, entering Germany is rarely justified as Austria currently offers safety and refugees face no life-threatening situations in other EU countries.
The European Parliament can provide valuable assistance to the Commission in addressing issues related to migration and border control. After assessing the Bavarian Border Police's performance, Minister Herrmann may propose the need for additional support from the European Commission, considering the challenges encountered at Germany's borders.