Germany’s center-left government has announced temporary restrictions on land borders to manage irregular migration following a knife attack and electoral successes of a far-right party. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser declared the new measures, set to commence on September 16 for an initial duration of six months, with the possibility of extension.
These border controls will affect areas linked to France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark, on top of existing restrictions with Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Switzerland. The government has been proactive in notifying the European Commission and neighboring Schengen Area countries of its plans.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, facing mounting pressure from the far right, has modified his stance on immigration, pledging to deport immigrants charged with serious offenses.
Faeser highlighted that the measures are a response to “irregular migration,” Islamist terrorism, and serious crime, emphasizing the need to enhance internal security. The rise of anti-immigration sentiment is noticeable, especially following Germany’s approval of asylum for about a million Ukrainians amid ongoing economic challenges.
In the backdrop of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s recent electoral gains, the political landscape has shifted. The AfD secured its first victory as a far-right party in regional elections since World War II, intensifying debates on immigration.
Asylum applications in Germany surged in 2023, exceeding 350,000, up by over 50 percent from the previous year, with the highest numbers coming from Syria, Turkey, and Afghanistan. The incident in Solingen, linked to ISIL, further fuels xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments.
Looking ahead, experts suggest that these developments, combined with impending elections, may result in even stricter asylum policies. Concerns have been raised about potential legal repercussions these measures could provoke, which could jeopardize Germany’s commitment to human rights and the integrity of its constitution regarding asylum rights. Germany’s neighbors may also respond with tighter border controls, leading to an increasingly fortified Europe against immigration pressures.