For the time being, the incident that took place on July 10 in the early afternoon remains a topic of discussion among residents and in the media alike. The event illustrates how delicate issues related to borders, symbolism, and law can be, especially in regions where cross-border cooperation plays a key role.

On July 10, 2025, the deputy mayor of Slubice, Tomasz Stefanski, personally removed banners belonging to the Border Defense Movement from the Polish section of the bridge.

According to information provided by the press office of the city of Frankfurt (Oder), the entire bridge structure over the Oder River belongs to Germany, and the border bridge between Frankfurt (Oder) and Slubice is administered by the Federal Republic of Germany. Consequently, any actions involving the placement of banners require appropriate permits. In the case of the Border Defense Movement, as stated in the official communique, no authorization was obtained from the Office of Order and Safety of the Frankfurt (Oder) city administration for the installation of the banners. As a result, the deputy mayor of Slubice, Tomasz Stefanski, acting in cooperation with his colleagues from Slubice, carried out their removal. Stefanski acknowledged removing the items and drew attention to a German official who was said to have accompanied him during the operation.

According to witness accounts, a woman who spoke Polish but with a German accent appeared on the bridge on July 10 alongside Stefanski. The woman, witnesses said, requested and was particularly concerned about not being photographed. She reportedly said she was a representative of the German road administration.

Good day, Here are the answers to your questions: Is it true that the entire bridge over the Oder belongs to Germany? Yes, the city bridge between Frankfurt (Oder) and Slubice is managed by the Federal Republic of Germany. Did the Frankfurt (Oder) city administration demand that Mr. Stefanski remove banners belonging to the civic initiative Border Defense Movement from the bridge? The Office of Order and Safety of the Frankfurt (Oder) city administration did not grant permission for the installation of the banners, so the banners were removed by them in consultation with colleagues from Slubice. Best regards, Frankfurt (Oder) City Administration

Here are the answers to your questions:

Is it true that the entire bridge over the Oder belongs to Germany?

Yes, the city bridge between Frankfurt (Oder) and Slubice is managed by the Federal Republic of Germany.

Did the Frankfurt (Oder) city administration demand that Mr. Stefanski remove banners belonging to the civic initiative Border Defense Movement from the bridge?

The Office of Order and Safety of the Frankfurt (Oder) city administration did not grant permission for the installation of the banners, so the banners were removed by them in consultation with colleagues from Slubice.

Best regards, Frankfurt (Oder) City Administration

-- reads the response from the Frankfurt (Oder) city office. It is worth noting that the office does not cite the legal basis for "German administration" of the bridge.

On the one hand, the Frankfurt (Oder) authorities argued that the lack of a permit justified the intervention in order to maintain order and compliance with regulations. On the other hand, supporters of the Border Defense Movement expressed their dissatisfaction, pointing out that the removal of the banners restricts their right to express opinions and to protest. The organization, known for its active engagement on issues related to borders and security, may have viewed this decision as an attempt to suppress their voice.

It should be noted that the bridge over the Oder is not merely technical infrastructure but also a symbol of cross-border cooperation between Poland and Germany. The removal of the banners by Tomasz Stefanski may be seen as part of the broader context of relations between the two cities, which have cooperated for years within the framework of the Sprewa-Nysa-Bobr Euroregion. However, such actions can also lead to tensions if they are not preceded by dialogue with all interested parties.

The Frankfurt (Oder) press office, represented by a spokesperson, emphasized that the removal of the banners was the result of the lack of formal permission, not a political decision. The communique noted that any actions involving the display of materials on the bridge must be coordinated with the relevant institutions on both sides of the border. The lack of such coordination led to the intervention, which was carried out in accordance with applicable regulations.

This situation raises questions about the future of similar initiatives and how the authorities of both cities will handle similar cases going forward. Will dialogue between Slubice and Frankfurt (Oder) be strengthened to avoid similar incidents? Will the Border Defense Movement decide on further action, perhaps by applying for official permits in the future? Answers to these questions may emerge in the coming weeks, as emotions subside and the parties involved in the dispute have an opportunity for constructive talks.

[Aleksandra Fedorska is a journalist for Tysol.pl and numerous Polish and German media outlets]

!!!!! Poland handed over the entire Frankfurt/Slubice bridge to German administration !!!! GERMANY now dictates what can be hung there !!!!! I asked the Frankfurt Oder city administration about the situation and here is their response: Good day, Here are the answers to your questions: Is it true that the entire bridge over the... pic.twitter.com/zI9jIsbxS5 -- Aleksandra Fedorska (@a_fedorska) July 14, 2025

!!!!! Poland handed over the entire Frankfurt/Slubice bridge to German administration !!!! GERMANY now dictates what can be hung there !!!!! I asked the Frankfurt Oder city administration about the situation and here is their response: Good day, Here are the answers to your questions: Is it true that the entire bridge over the... pic.twitter.com/zI9jIsbxS5