On July 10, 2025, a seemingly minor incident took place on the border bridge between Słubice and Frankfurt (Oder): the deputy mayor of Słubice, Tomasz Stefański, personally removed banners put up by the Border Defence Movement. The intervention was carried out at the request of the German public order office, which pointed to the lack of formal permission for the installation. However, what appeared to be a routine administrative action revealed a deeper issue: questions of sovereignty, jurisdiction, symbolism, and who ultimately controls the shared space between Poland and Germany.
Authorities in Frankfurt (Oder) are clear in their stance: the entire bridge over the Oder River, including the section on the Polish side, falls under the administration of the Federal Republic of Germany. They assert control over all activities related to the display of content, and the lack of consent from the German Ordnungsamt was considered sufficient grounds for the removal of the banners.
According to information provided by the Słubice city office to the portal tysol.pl, the actions were carried out “in coordination with colleagues from Słubice,” meaning the local authorities on the Polish side.
This raises significant concerns, as it suggests that the city of Słubice has effectively transferred jurisdiction over infrastructure located on Polish territory to the German side.
A German Administrator on Polish Territory
Activists from the Border Defence Movement, involved in efforts to protect Poland’s borders from the influx of illegal migrants from Germany, openly express their outrage. They view the removal of their banners as an attack on freedom of speech and an attempt to silence public protest. The decision to dismantle the installation without any appeals process or formal proceedings sets a dangerous precedent.
Observers of the incident also noted the presence of a woman speaking Polish with a German accent who accompanied Tomasz Stefański and ensured her image was not captured. She reportedly stated that she represented the German road authority.
A Bridge That Connects – On German Terms
For years, the bridge over the Oder has been regarded as a symbol of fruitful cooperation between Słubice and Frankfurt, neighbouring cities operating within the framework of the Spree-Neisse-Bóbr Euroregion. Joint initiatives, cultural projects, and the mobility of residents have all contributed to an image of the borderland as a model of integration. However, the decision made by the German side and carried out by a Polish official casts doubt on this narrative.
The issue was also raised by tysol.pl journalist Aleksandra Fedorska, whose inquiry to the Frankfurt (Oder) office confirmed, formally, that Germany controls the entire structure. Yet the response lacked a clear legal basis, which raises further questions.