CDU leader Friedrich Merz is threatened with tensions with Poland right at the start of his chancellorship because of the planned tightened controls and rejections at the borders.

"The current controls at the German-Polish border are already a problem for daily border traffic and the functioning of the EU internal market," Poland's chargé d'affaires and de facto ambassador to Berlin, Jan Tombinski, told Politico (Friday). He is referring to measures already imposed by the traffic light coalition, which have caused traffic jams on roads from Poland to Germany, sometimes lasting for hours. "We therefore do not want to see a tightening of border controls," warned Tombinski. "We naturally stand by our commitment to protecting Europe's external borders – especially with Russia and Belarus – but at the same time expect that freedom of movement within the European Schengen area will be maintained," said the long-serving top diplomat, nominated for the post in Berlin by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. "It will be difficult for our fellow citizens to explain that we are investing in our external border and at the same time are getting tightened controls at the German border," warned Tombinski.

When asked whether Poland would accept the rejection of migrants, Tombinski stated that Poland stands by its "obligations under EU legislation," including the new CEAS asylum policy. Merz and his designated head of the Chancellery, Thorsten Frei, had announced their intention to implement the tightened controls "from day one" of their chancellorship. This poses a potential conflict for the future chancellor during his planned inaugural visit to Donald Tusk in Warsaw next Wednesday – even though Merz had promised close coordination with neighboring countries like Poland on the migration issue. The issue is particularly sensitive in Poland, as presidential elections are scheduled for May 18. Current President Andrzej Duda is blocking not only important legislation proposed by Tusk, but also ambassadorial appointments, such as in the case of Tombinski, who therefore only heads Poland's representation in Berlin as chargé d'affaires.