German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged Poland to investigate reports of issuing hundreds of thousands of illegal work visas. In an effort to address the issue, Scholz also mentioned the possibility of restoring controls at the Polish border. Speaking at a campaign event in Nuremberg, the Chancellor stressed that he does not want Poland to simply allow migrants to pass through. The potential imposition of border controls raises concerns about disruptions at a European Union border and further tensions between Germany and Poland, especially with the parliamentary election approaching in Poland on October 15.
Both Germany and Poland are members of the EU's visa-free agreement, aimed at facilitating travel and trade between member states. Scholz's comments indicate the mounting pressure on Germany's government to respond to the increasing number of undocumented arrivals. It is worth noting that the Chancellor and his party have previously resisted calls for border controls.
The reports from Polish media allege that bribes were involved in granting over 250,000 citizens from African and Asian countries the right to work in Poland in the past two and a half years. However, the Foreign Ministry in Warsaw disputes this number and claims to be investigating only 268 visa requests. The EU Home Affairs Commissioners have requested Poland to provide "clarifications" by October 3.
According to government data, the number of asylum seekers in Germany has seen a significant increase, with over 204,000 people applying for asylum through August, a 77% rise compared to the same period last year. The situation has prompted German authorities to take action at the Polish border, with more than 12,000 undocumented migrants already being detained in the first half of this year.
Poland's right-wing government has consistently criticized Germany's liberal approach to immigration and has rejected an EU-wide refugee policy. Chancellor Scholz's remarks come as he campaigns for his party ahead of a state election in Bavaria. The governing conservative Christian Social Union is currently leading in the polls ahead of the October 8 vote.