As requested by rapporteur Tanja Fajon (S&D, Slovenia), at first reading on Thursday 4 April , the European Parliament confirmed its position on the legislative proposal to allow the temporary reintroduction of controls at the internal borders of the Schengen area (339 votes in favour, 205 against, 62 abstentions).
The topic is controversial and it has not yet been possible to reach an agreement with the Council of the EU in this parliamentary term (see EUROPE 12203/9). Member States have shown no flexibility while MEPs, ready to give in to the decision to reintroduce temporary controls, expected a move on the safeguards and guarantees surrounding these temporary controls.
As a reminder, the European Parliament’s mandate adopted at the end of 2018 provides for a reduction of the initial period for border controls from six months to two months and for any extension to a maximum period of one year, compared to the current two years.
MEPs want a detailed risk assessment if temporary controls are extended after two months. And any extension beyond six months would require the Commission to examine whether it complies with legal requirements and the authorisation of the Council of the EU.
Member States are against the need to request Council authorisation to extend controls after six months (see EUROPE 12044/1), although the Commission could issue an opinion on the desired extension as well as the EU countries affected by these measures. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)