Germany announced on Monday plans to impose tighter controls at all of its land borders, marking a significant shift in its approach to immigration and security. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said the measures, set to begin on September 16 and initially last for six months, aim to tackle irregular migration and protect the public from threats such as Islamist extremism.
The new controls will be implemented within the Schengen zone, an area typically known for free movement across European borders. This decision comes as part of a series of measures Germany has taken to toughen its stance on irregular migration following a surge in arrivals, particularly from the Middle East.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government is attempting to regain political initiative from opposition far-right and conservative parties, which have seen increased support as they capitalize on voter concerns about stretched public services, integration, and security.
Faeser emphasized the government’s commitment to internal security and continued hard line against irregular migration. The European Commission and neighboring countries have been notified of the intended controls.
Recent events have heightened concerns over immigration in Germany. A deadly knife attack in Solingen that killed three people in August, for which the Islamic State group claimed responsibility, has stoked public anxiety. Additionally, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party recently won a state election in Thuringia, campaigning heavily on migration issues.
The government has also designed a scheme to reject more migrants directly at German borders, though details of this legally complex move have not been disclosed.
These measures come against the backdrop of Germany’s experience during the 2015/2016 migrant crisis when it took in over a million people, mostly from war-torn countries like Syria. The country also granted automatic asylum to around a million Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s 2022 invasion, further straining resources during an energy and economic crisis.
The new border controls could test European unity if they lead to German authorities requesting other countries to take back substantial numbers of asylum seekers and migrants. Austria’s Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has already stated that his country would not accept migrants turned away by Germany at the border.
While these measures may not immediately result in a significant increase in migrants being turned away, experts suggest they could act as a deterrent and potentially lead to more returns to other European countries in the future.
REUTERS
