Germany has reinstated border controls at all its land borders, but the move has been met with little reaction across Europe. According to Berlin officials, these controls will be “smart.” This means the freedom of movement within the Schengen Area will remain, much like during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this marks a significant shift: while right-wing Chancellor Angela Merkel once welcomed refugees, the current left-wing Chancellor Olaf Scholz is tightening borders to address Islamist terrorism and “cross-border crime,” including migrant smuggling.
Terrorism and Public Opinion Shifts
Germany’s approach has been shaped by a series of incidents following the 2016 Christmas market attack in Berlin, where 12 people died and 48 were injured. Subsequent attacks in cities like Hamburg, Dresden, Duisburg, and Mannheim have continued to shape public sentiment. In August, three people died and eight were injured in Solingen, a particularly notable attack carried out by a Syrian man who was in Germany illegally. While the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, with its anti-immigrant platform, has gained momentum, the government’s new stance is not solely a response to their pressure.
Left-Wing Populism and Political Shifts
The rise of the AfD in regional elections in places like Thuringia, Saxony, and Brandenburg has overshadowed another political trend: a portion of the radical left has also begun to adopt populist, anti-immigrant rhetoric, leading to significant electoral gains. Sahra Wagenknecht, leader of what is being called the “Left AfD,” represents this shift. Formerly a leader of Die Linke, a democratic socialist party, Wagenknecht’s political journey reflects the broader move among left-wing factions in Europe as they try to reconnect with disaffected workers and a shrinking middle class.
This political realignment is not unique to Germany. In 2022, Sweden’s Social Democrats, under the leadership of former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, made similar moves to appeal to workers. In the UK, Labour leader Keir Starmer has also taken a stance on immigration, vowing to reduce what he termed “ultra-high” immigration even before becoming prime minister. Starmer argues that unchecked immigration drives working-class voters toward populist movements. Unlike previous Labour leaders, he has thrown his support behind union wage demands, signaling a break from the policies of Tony Blair’s era.
Political Tensions in France
In France, the left remains more resistant to shifting its stance on immigration. Attempts by former leaders like President François Hollande or Prime Minister Manuel Valls to adjust policy were seen as betrayals and left deep divisions within the party. However, tensions are beginning to surface. François Ruffin, who recently left the radical-left La France Insoumise party, has criticized leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon for focusing too much on alliances with student movements and immigrant communities. Ruffin’s departure hints at broader fractures within the French left, as the working class continues to drift toward the far-right National Rally party.
Whether this signals a broader populist shift on the left or a return to focusing on the working class remains unclear. But political landscapes across Europe are undoubtedly evolving.
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