Denmark likely to maintain border controls despite concern from Brussels
Danish controls along the Swedish and German borders are set to expire today. While normally these borders are open to free travel and trade, they are now subject to certain measures, like ID checks.
The controls were set in January 2016 to check the flow of migrants into the Scandinavian countries. The European Commission now says they are contrary to the Schengen area’s principle of control-free borders. Regardless, Denmark insists that only it will decide when to open its borders.
Copenhagen’s persistence signals a broader weakness of the Schengen zone, with Germany, France, Austria and others pushing to keep their similar border checks in place. While the Commission has urged the countries to find alternatives, such as heavier policing in border areas, Schengen countries are unlikely to follow through, fearing large influxes of migrants.
Expect Denmark to extend controls. If the Commission cannot bring it and other countries to change course, Schengen will be threatened; as such, these “emergency” measures could grow into the new status quo.
Start your day with an open-source intelligence briefing. Download The Daily Brief app.
