BERLIN, Sept. 9 (Reuters) – Germany’s government has announced new measures to tighten border controls across the country. This move aims to address irregular migration and safeguard against threats like Islamist extremism.
Starting September 16, the controls will be implemented within the European Schengen zone, which typically allows free movement. The measures are set to last for an initial period of six months, according to Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.
The government has also introduced a scheme allowing authorities to reject more migrants at the German borders. Faeser did not provide further details on this controversial and legally complex move.
These restrictions are part of Germany’s broader efforts to curb irregular migration, a response to increased arrivals, particularly from individuals fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government aims to reclaim political momentum from far-right and conservative opposition groups, which have gained support by capitalizing on public concerns about strained services, integration issues, and security.
“We are enhancing internal security and maintaining a tough stance on irregular migration,” Faeser stated, noting that the European Commission and neighboring countries have been informed of these upcoming controls.
Recent violent incidents involving asylum seekers, including an August knife attack in Solingen claimed by the Islamic State group, have intensified concerns about immigration. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party recently won a state election in Thuringia by campaigning heavily on migration issues.
In Brandenburg, where elections are scheduled in two weeks, migration remains a key voter concern. Scholz and Faeser’s center-left Social Democrats (SPD) are fighting to retain control, with the vote seen as a crucial test ahead of next year’s federal elections.
Marcus Engler of the German Centre for Integration and Migration Research commented, “The government’s intention appears to be a symbolic gesture to both Germans and potential migrants, signaling that they are no longer welcome.”
Challenges for Europe
The backlash against migration in Germany has intensified since the 2015/2016 crisis when over a million people from war-torn regions, including Syria, were granted asylum. The situation worsened with the influx of around a million Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s 2022 invasion, amidst an ongoing energy and economic crisis in Germany.
Germany has since implemented stricter deportation rules and resumed deportations of Afghan nationals, despite halting these operations in 2021 due to human rights concerns. Additionally, stricter controls have been placed on borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Austria, allowing Germany to return 30,000 migrants since October 2023.
Faeser mentioned that a new system would enable even more deportations, but details are pending confidential negotiations with conservative parties.
The new controls could test European unity, especially if Germany requests other countries to accept a significant number of asylum seekers and migrants. Under EU rules, Schengen countries can only impose border checks as a last resort to address serious security or public policy threats.
Germany’s extensive land borders include those with Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Austria’s Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated that Austria will not accept any migrants turned away by Germany.
While the immediate impact on migrant numbers may be minimal, the measures could lead to increased returns to other European countries and serve as a deterrent, according to Susan Fratzke of the Migration Policy Institute.
Government statistics show a 21.7% decrease in asylum applications in Germany during the first eight months of the year.