An Austrian court is set to review a civil case this week filed against the town of Schattendorf for installing electronic barriers at its main border crossing with Hungary earlier this year. This development has intensified tensions between the two EU member states, with allegations that the move breaches the Schengen Zone's rules on freedom of movement.
Since last summer, the parking lots at the Schattendorf crossing have seen a rise in the number of cars. However, this increase is not due to more people entering Austria. Instead, commuters relying on this route for their daily travels have had to acquire a second vehicle following the installation of the electronic barriers.
Ferenc Tauber, a resident of Ágfalva, explained, \"These cars belong to Ágfalva residents. They drive here, leave their cars, walk to the other side, find another waiting car, and head to work.\"
Officials in Schattendorf argue that the barriers were introduced to ease traffic flow and enhance road safety. Despite these claims, residents on the Hungarian side assert that the town is violating EU regulations, as both Austria and Hungary are part of the Schengen Zone, which guarantees free movement between member states.
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Austria-Hungary legal battle begins over electronic barriers at border
cgtn.com