Germany Threatening to Veto Passport-Free Travel For Bulgarians and Romanians

Officials are worried the German welfare system could be abused

BERLIN — Germany and the European Union's executive commission are at odds over plans to widen a passport-free travel accord in Europe known as the Schengen Agreement.  Bulgaria and Romania have asked to join the agreement, winning support from Austria.  But Germany has threatened to veto the deal, saying it fears that members of the Roma (gypsy) communities from Bulgaria and Romania will stream into Germany and abuse the welfare system.