Germany’s center-left government has announced temporary land border restrictions to manage irregular migration in response to a recent knife attack and the success of a far-right political party in elections.
The new measures, revealed on Monday, will take effect on September 16 and are set to last for six months, with the possibility of extension. The restrictions will be enforced at borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark, adding to existing controls already in place for Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. The current checks on the border with Austria are scheduled to last until November, while those affecting Switzerland, Poland, and the Czech Republic are expected to remain until at least December.
German authorities have informed the European Commission and neighboring countries, all part of the Schengen Area, about these tightened controls. According to Schengen rules, border control reintroduction must be a last-resort measure in exceptional circumstances and must adhere to proportionality principles.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated that local authorities may be allowed to reject and turn away migrants at the borders, a move that could lead to legal challenges. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, facing pressure from far-right groups, has gradually adjusted his stance on immigration, pledging to deport those accused of serious crimes.
The government cites the need for enhanced security against “irregular migration,” “Islamist terrorism,” and serious crime as key reasons for these changes. The atmosphere surrounding immigration has shifted significantly since Germany welcomed about a million Ukrainian refugees fleeing the conflict with Russia. Despite this, experts project that the country requires approximately 1.5 million immigrants annually due to an aging workforce and stagnating population growth.
The recent success of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, fueled by a mix of economic concerns and dissatisfaction with government immigration policies, signifies a notable political shift. The AfD’s recent victories in regional elections reflect the growing sentiments against immigration, particularly in the lead-up to elections in Brandenburg and federal elections next year.
In 2023, asylum applications in Germany surpassed 350,000, marking a 50 percent increase from the previous year. The stabbing attack in Solingen, which ISIL claimed responsibility for, is expected to exacerbate anti-immigrant sentiments in the country.
Looking ahead, these developments and the impending elections may lead to increased restrictions on asylum seekers, according to experts. Concerns have been raised about potential legal challenges to immigration policies, which could threaten the fundamental right to asylum in Germany, potentially altering the country’s image as a champion of human rights.
Experts predict that neighboring countries might respond by tightening their own borders, reinforcing a trend toward stricter immigration controls in Europe. This shift raises concerns that such policies could undermine trust in the international asylum system amidst ongoing migration pressures from the Middle East and North Africa.