Germany Imposes 6-Month Border Controls Across the Entire Country to Reduce Illegal Immigration
This move challenges the Schengen Agreement, which allows for free movement across most European countries without border checks.
Germany has ordered six months of border controls at all of its land borders to address illegal immigration and extremist threats.
The controls, starting on September 16, will affect borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced this decision at a press conference, emphasizing the government's commitment to enhancing internal security and combating irregular migration.
This move challenges the Schengen Agreement, which allows for free movement across most European countries without border checks.
However, under EU rules, countries can reintroduce border checks as a last resort to address security or public policy threats.
Germany previously imposed temporary border controls with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland to curb smuggling and illegal immigration.
The decision follows recent incidents, including a knife attack in Solingen that killed three people.
The attacker, a Syrian national, was supposed to be deported to Bulgaria last year but avoided it.
In response, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged to increase deportations, which had already risen by 30% this year. Scholz has also proposed deporting criminals from Afghanistan and Syria.
The populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which advocates for stricter border controls and fewer asylum seekers, recently gained significant support in state elections in eastern Germany.
