Luxembourg ‘Protests’ Germany’s Extension of Border Controls

Luxembourg does not support Germany’s decision to extend border controls until May 15, amid the Coronavirus pandemic. Against this decision is, in particular, the Schengen town, which has given “life” to the passport-free travel zone, the Schengen Area.

In a sign of protest against Germany’s latest move, Luxembourg has lowered the European Union flags at half-staff.

According to the mayor of Schengen, Michel Golden, the decision of Germany to extend the measures cannot be understood, while the countries across Europe are attempting to lift the Coronavirus imposed restrictions, SchnegenVisaInfo.com reports.

Regarding the issue, Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn has written to the German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer urging him to lift the measure, which has caused public anger in a country with a large share of cross-border workers.

Flags have been flown at half -staff as a signal of hope for European unity, the Syvicol president Emile Eischer pointed out.

Nearly 48,000 German residents work in Luxembourg, but amid the Coronavirus outbreak, many of them work from home.

German police officers stop and check drivers crossing the bridge in the Moselle every day.

“We check all vehicles, day and night, Only cross-border workers or those with a legitimate reason are allowed through,” a police officer pointed out.

“We haven’t thought about frontiers here for decades,” adding that “the people who live here are suffering the most from the situation. We don’t just go to Germany to go shopping – we have friends and family there,” Mayor Gloden said.

Former Luxembourg secretary of state for foreign affairs and one of the signatories of the Schengen agreement, Robert Goebbels said that scientists and doctors defeat viruses, not police checks.

“This is clearly a symptom of the lack of European solidarity, but we should not overburden the EU, as it has no powers in health matters,” he added.

The flags will remain at half-mast during the next coming days until May 9, in Europe’s Day celebration by the European Union. The same symbolic action across the country as well as in settlement authorities in Germany, France, and Belgium is being discussed.

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