EU moves to crack down on Danish border control

Since 2016, a temporary border control has existed at Denmark’s border with Germany – an initiative the Danish government turned to in response to the 2015 migration crisis.

But that’s far too long for the likes of the European Parliament, which voted this week to limit the ability of member states and other Schengen members to establish passport controls at their borders.

“Civil Liberties MEPs confirmed that they want to reduce the initial period for border controls from six months (as is currently the case) to two months, and to limit any extension to a maximum period of one year, rather than the current maximum limit of two years,” the European Parliament stated in a summary.

Other changes would include the European Commission requiring more documentation from member states desiring to extend temporary border controls, while extensions exceeding six months would have to be approved by the EU Council.

Finally, the European Parliament must be more informed and involved in the process.

READ ALSO: Denmark extends border controls by another six months

Expiring in November
Denmark has had temporary border checks since January 2016 and until the end of 2017 the reasoning of that was the migration crisis. Since then, Denmark has used the threat of terrorism as the reason for border checks. Denmark’s current border control will run its course on November 12.

Aside from Denmark, Austria, Germany, Sweden and Norway currently have internal border checks in place due 2015 migratory crisis. Moreover, France has internal border checks due to the threat of terrorism.

“Denmark should decide over our own borders. EU’s outer borders are like a sieve so I voted no to limit the border control options. However, I must concede that a large majority of the European Parliament live in a parallel universe,” Peter Kofod, a Dansk Folkeparti EP member and the only full Danish representative in the committee, told DR Nyheder.