Why is Germany imposing more restrictions on its borders?
German authorities are shifting their stance on immigration amid far-right gains and coming elections.
Germany’s center-left government has decided to impose temporary land border restrictions to manage irregular migration following a recent knife attack and gains by a far-right party.
The new restrictions, announced on Monday, will take effect from September 16 and initially last for six months, with the possibility of extension. They will be implemented at land borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark. This adds to existing controls with Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Switzerland.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated that these additional checks are necessary to address irregular migration and what she termed "Islamist terrorism and serious crime." The measures follow the election victories of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Thuringia and a strong second-place finish in Saxony. These elections were influenced by a knife attack in Solingen, allegedly by a Syrian asylum seeker, which resulted in three deaths.
Germany has informed the European Commission and neighboring Schengen Area countries about these tighter controls. The Schengen rules allow for internal border controls only as a last resort and in exceptional circumstances.
Faeser also revealed plans for local authorities to have the power to reject and turn away migrants at the borders, though this could be controversial and face legal challenges. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has increasingly focused on immigration issues, including promising to deport immigrants accused of serious crimes. Germany deported 28 Afghan nationals on August 30, resuming a practice that had been suspended since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
The reasoning behind these new measures is to enhance security and address the rising concerns over migration and crime. Since granting asylum to approximately one million Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s 2022 invasion, Germany has seen a rise in anti-immigration sentiment, with the AfD capitalizing on economic and cultural grievances.
The number of asylum applications in Germany surged to over 350,000 in 2023, up more than 50% from the previous year, with most applicants coming from Syria, Turkey, and Afghanistan.
Looking ahead, this shift in policy and the upcoming elections could lead to even more restrictions on asylum seekers, according to Hannes Schammann, head of the Migration Policy Research Group at the University of Hildesheim. Schammann suggests that these measures could lead to severe legal challenges and potentially alter Germany's stance on asylum rights.
Neighboring countries may also respond by tightening their borders, potentially reinforcing the concept of "Fortress Europe," a term used to describe strict border controls and immigration policies. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner confirmed that Austria would not accept migrants rejected by Germany, reflecting a broader European trend towards stricter immigration controls.
