by Thorsten Koch

Chancellor Angela Merkel has given rise to hopes for a gradual opening of the borders to several countries neighboring Germany. Depending on the development of the pandemic within the country, the government is to follow a clear perspective in view of restoring the internal borders in the European Union, said the Chancellor during a digital meeting of the two Union parties.

Controls would not last forever, and the government’s priority could well be a two-step process of opening. The Federal Cabinet will address the issue during a meeting on Wednesday.

Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CDU) would like to continue the strict entry restrictions, for the time being. SPD parliamentary leader Rolf Mützenich appealed to open the borders to France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands despite the corona pandemic, especially in areas with heavy traffic of visitors and commuters.

In mid-March, the government introduced controls running until Friday. Only those who can give a good reason for this are currently allowed to enter Germany.