Dobrindt wants rejections to be clarified by the European Court of Justice

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) is sticking with increased border controls and wants the European Court of Justice to rule on the controversial rejections. In its recent ruling, the Berlin Administrative Court noted that the justification for applying Article 72 – an exception rule under European law – was insufficient, Dobrindt told the Funke media group newspapers. "We will provide sufficient justification, but the European Court of Justice should decide on that."

Dobrindt continued: "I am convinced that our measures are within the bounds of European law." The migration turnaround must also be brought about to prevent political forces like the AfD from being able to implement radical solutions. However, the Interior Minister added that he would "of course" accept a possible veto by the European Court of Justice against rejections.

On Monday, the Berlin Administrative Court ruled in an emergency ruling that the rejection of three Somalis during a border check at Frankfurt (Oder) train station was unlawful. They should not be rejected without clarification as to which EU country is responsible for their asylum applications. The three Somalis are now back in Berlin.

On May 7, Dobrindt ordered more intensive border controls. At the same time, he ordered that asylum seekers could also be turned back at the border in the future. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) recently stated that he would continue to reject asylum seekers at the border, even after the administrative court's decision.