Germany’s center-left government has implemented temporary land border restrictions aimed at managing irregular migration following a recent knife attack and the electoral success of a far-right party.
The measures, announced on Monday, come after the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved notable results in elections in the eastern state of Thuringia and placed second in neighboring Saxony. These elections occurred in the aftermath of a violent incident in Solingen, where a knife attack attributed to a Syrian asylum seeker resulted in three fatalities.
Details of the new measures include:
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated that the border controls will take effect on September 16 and will last for an initial period of six months, with the possibility of extension. The restrictions will be enforced at Germany’s land borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark. This follows existing border checks with Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland, as Germany seeks to monitor incoming migrants.
The German government has notified the European Commission and neighboring Schengen Area countries about these enhanced controls. Under existing Schengen regulations, the reimposition of border checks is meant to be a last resort and must adhere to the principle of proportionality.
Faeser highlighted plans allowing local authorities to turn away migrants at the borders, a proposal that could attract legal challenges. Furthermore, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has sharpened his stance on immigration, pledging to deport immigrants charged with serious crimes, including recent deportations of 28 Afghan nationals.
Faeser stressed that Germany’s actions aim to expand upon EU regulations to bolster internal security against “irregular migration” and threats she associates with “Islamist terrorism and serious crime.” She noted that the political climate in Germany has shifted significantly due to increased voices against immigration, particularly after the country welcomed about one million Ukrainian refugees since Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Germany’s approach to asylum seekers has transformed from its previous open-door policy under former Chancellor Angela Merkel. Currently, the nation is witnessing a significant rise in asylum applications, which have surpassed 350,000 this year—an increase of over 50 percent compared to the previous year, with a substantial number coming from Syria.
The recent electoral success of the far-right AfD, which capitalizes on economic and cultural anxieties, marks a significant shift in the political landscape, as it is the first far-right party to achieve such success since World War II. Upcoming elections in Brandenburg and federal elections next year are set to heighten the focus on immigration issues.
Experts suggest that the current political climate may lead to further restrictions on asylum seekers, with potential legal challenges looming. There is concern that Germany’s policies could diminish the country’s reputation as a proponent of human rights and could lead to a hardening of borders across Europe. Austrian officials have already indicated they will reject migrants turned away by Germany, emphasizing a collective response that could threaten international commitments to refugee protection.