Berlin.-The German government has announced the temporary introduction of controls at all land borders in order to “reduce irregular migration and improve internal security” from 16 September.
The German Interior Ministry announced that it has notified the European Commission (EC) today of its intention to introduce temporary border controls at the borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark over the next six months, in addition to those already in place in border areas with Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland.
“We are strengthening our internal security and maintaining our tough approach against illegal immigration,” Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said at a press conference in Berlin announcing the new controls.
The Social Democrat minister stressed that this measure includes the possibility of turning away migrants at the border who are caught with false documents or who do not have visas allowing them to enter Germany.
Since October 2023, when temporary border controls with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland were introduced, 30,000 people trying to enter illegally from those countries have already been turned away, he said.
Faeser clarified that at the moment the German police can only turn away individuals at the border who do not submit an asylum application.
However, he said his ministry had been studying how to carry out “mass rejections” in the future and had found a legally sound formula that he would present on Tuesday at a meeting with the opposition and regional governments.
Since a suspected jihadist killed three people in a knife attack in western Germany last month, migration has returned to the forefront of Germany’s political agenda.
The Interior Ministry then presented a package of measures to tighten gun rights, reduce benefits for asylum seekers already registered in other countries and facilitate the deportation of violent criminals, which was approved by the Council of Ministers on Monday.
The Christian Democratic opposition has meanwhile offered the coalition government of Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals a state pact on migration, on condition that asylum seekers will also be turned away at Germany’s borders in future.
In the regional elections in the federal states of Saxony and Thuringia on 1 September, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), a party that has made tougher immigration policy a pillar of its political programme, came in first and second respectively, with a third of the votes.
It is also expected to do well in the state of Brandenburg, where voting will take place on 22 September.
Temporary border controls with Austria will be in force until November 1 and at the borders with Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Poland until December 15, although the Ministry of the Interior indicated that these measures will also have to be extended to be in line with the rest of the borders.Clarín.
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2024-09-12 07:04:21
Table of Contents
Temporary Border Control in Germany: A Measure to Enhance Internal Security and Curb Irregular Migration
In a bid to strengthen internal security and curb irregular migration, the German government has announced the introduction of temporary border controls at all land borders, effective from 16 September 2024. This move is seen as a crucial step in addressing the pressing issue of illegal immigration, which has taken center stage in Germany’s political agenda.
Background
The Schengen Borders Code (SBC) provides Member States, including Germany, with the capability of temporarily reintroducing border control at internal borders [[2]]. This provision enables countries to respond to specific security concerns or abnormal migratory pressures.
Reasons for Introducing Temporary Border Control
The German Interior Ministry has cited the need to limit irregular migration and protect internal security as the primary reasons for introducing temporary border control [[1]]. This decision is also influenced by the recent deadly knife attacks in western Germany, which have heightened concerns about migration and security.
Scope of Temporary Border Control
The temporary border controls will be introduced at Germany’s borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark over the next six months, in addition to those already in place in border areas with Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland [[3]].
Key Provisions
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has emphasized that this measure includes the possibility of turning away migrants at the border who are caught with false documents or who do not have visas allowing them to enter Germany. Since October 2023, when temporary border controls with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland were introduced, 30,000 people trying to enter illegally from those countries have already been turned away.
Future Plans
The German Interior Ministry has been studying how to carry out “mass rejections” in the future and has found a legally sound formula that will be presented at a meeting with the opposition and regional governments. This move is expected to strengthen Germany’s internal security and maintain a tough approach against illegal immigration.
Political Ramifications
The Christian Democratic opposition has offered the coalition government of Social Democrats, Greens, and Liberals a state pact on migration, on condition that asylum seekers will also be turned away at Germany’s borders in future. Meanwhile, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has made significant gains in recent regional elections, capitalizing on concerns about migration and security.
Conclusion
The introduction of temporary border control in Germany is a significant step in addressing the pressing issue of irregular migration and enhancing internal security. As the country navigates the complex challenges of migration, security, and politics, this measure is likely to have far-reaching implications for Europe and the world at large.
What are the primary reasons for Germany’s temporary introduction of border controls regarding irregular migration and internal security?
Germany Introduces Temporary Border Controls to Combat Irregular Migration and Enhance Internal Security
In a move to combat irregular migration and strengthen internal security, the German government has announced the temporary introduction of controls at all land borders starting from September 16. This decision comes in response to the growing concerns over illegal immigration and its impact on national security.
Rationale Behind the Move
According to the German Interior Ministry, the grounds for ordering temporary border control are the need to limit irregular migration further and to protect Germany’s internal security [1[1]. The ministry aims to reduce the number of illegal migrants entering the country and to prevent potential security threats.
Temporary Border Controls
The temporary border controls will be set up at the land borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark for a period of six months [3[3]. These controls are in addition to the existing measures already in place at the borders with Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland.
Tighter Controls Already in Place
Germany had introduced tighter controls last year on its land borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland [2[2]. These measures have resulted in the turning away of 30,000 people trying to enter illegally from these countries since October 2023.
New Measures to Combat Illegal Immigration
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized that the new measures include the possibility of turning away migrants at the border who are caught with false documents or who do not have visas allowing them to enter Germany. The minister also announced that her ministry has been studying how to carry out “mass rejections” in the future and has found a legally sound formula that will be presented at a meeting with the opposition and regional governments.
Political Backlash and Opposition
The Christian Democratic opposition has offered the coalition government a state pact on migration, conditional on asylum seekers being turned away at Germany’s borders in future. The opposition has been critical of the government’s handling of migration issues, citing concerns over national security and the impact of illegal immigration on the country’s economy and social fabric.
Conclusion
The temporary introduction of border controls is a significant move by the German government to address the pressing issue of irregular migration and internal security. While the decision has sparked political debate and opposition, the government remains committed to finding a solution to the problem and ensuring the safety and security of its citizens.
