Germany has announced the introduction of temporary border controls at all its land borders, starting on September 16, 2024. The move, set to last for six months initially, is aimed at addressing irregular migration and safeguarding the country from potential threats, including Islamist extremism, according to the German Interior Ministry.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated, “We are bolstering internal security and maintaining a firm stance against irregular migration.”
In recent years, Germany has taken a tougher approach to migration issues, driven by rising public concern and the increasing popularity of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The AfD recently achieved a historic victory, becoming the first far-right party since World War II to win a state election in Thuringia.
The government’s decision comes in the wake of several violent incidents, including a deadly knife attack in Solingen in August, claimed by the Islamic State, which left three people dead. The suspects in such attacks were reportedly asylum seekers, further fueling concerns about immigration.
With just two weeks to go before elections in Brandenburg, the announcement is also seen as significant for Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Faeser’s Social Democrats (SPD), who are striving to retain control of the regional government.
Germany shares its borders with Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Austria’s Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has already made it clear that Austria will not accept any migrants turned away at the German border, stating, “There is no room for flexibility. The law is clear, and I have instructed the federal police to reject any returns.”
Last year, Germany introduced stricter controls on its borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland due to a significant rise in first-time asylum applications.
The decision to enforce temporary border controls may also challenge European unity, with Germany’s actions likely to have an impact on its neighboring countries.
