• JEF and other pro-European groups demonstrated with a cross-border march to Schengen
• We are calling for an immediate end to national border controls and a return to European solutions for European problems

Schengen, 3. November 2024 – People from Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands demonstrated yesterday against the newly introduced border controls at Europe’s internal borders with a march from France via Germany to Schengen in Luxembourg.

The march, supported by a broad coalition of parties and civil society (Volt, Young European Federalists (JEF), the European Movement, the European Union, Pulse of Europe, the Pirate Party and Partei der Humanisten), underlines the broad commitment to maintaining a borderless Europe that prioritises unity, cooperation and freedom. A total of 250 people took part in the demonstration.

In a series of speeches, the groups emphasised that border controls are not a solution to the challenges of European migration policy and criticised the increasing populist, nationalist rhetoric. On the contrary, the bogus solution threatens one of the most important symbols of European unification.

“We are here to protect the principles of the European Union. We want to expose the right-wing narratives that have become mainstream positions and we want to show that the idea of open borders and a united Europe is the reason for our success,” says MEP Kai Tegethoff (Volt), summarising the aim of the march.

The groups agree that the challenges of migration and integration policy can only be overcome sustainably with a joint European approach.

Sharp criticism of the German government comes from JEF Federal Chairwoman Melanie Thut: “Germany is taking an axe to a cornerstone of European integration. Germany is violating European law, the Schengen Borders Code. And its own promises: Where is it, the federal Europe from the coalition agreement that we as JEF fought so hard for?“

According to the Schengen Borders Code, border controls are only permitted “in exceptional circumstances” as a “last resort” and with a clearly defined reason. The blanket orders issued by Germany, France and the Netherlands do not fulfil this requirement. They affect everyone, especially people who live close to the border, but also travellers, commuters, international students and trainees are noticeably restricted in their everyday lives and freedom. They also result in economic losses due to more difficult border traffic.

The groups’ demands are clear:

“We need a single, common response from the whole of Europe, European solutions to European problems decided in co-operation; the immediate and unrestricted restoration of freedom of movement within the Schengen area for all, including by land for Bulgaria and Romania; and the enforcement of freedom of movement by the EU institutions,” said Christelle Savall, President of JEF Europe.

Philippe Schannes, co-chair of Volt Luxembourg, emphasised the importance of the Schengen Agreement for Luxembourg: “Open borders have made our country what we are today. Luxembourg represents Europe, relies on Europe and we, as Volt Luxembourg, will always defend the European freedom of movement. At a time when divisions fuelled by populism are threatening to undermine the very foundations of our Union, it is our duty to uphold the European idea of unity and cooperation. We must stand together for a Europe without borders, for a Europe of peace, prosperity, freedom and progress.“