Germany has implemented temporary border controls on all land borders
Germany’s government implemented temporary border controls at all of its land frontiers on Monday in an effort to combat irregular migration and safeguard the public from threats such as Islamist extremism.
Initially, the restrictions will be in effect for six months, commencing on September 16, according to a statement from the interior ministry.
“We are fortifying internal security and maintaining our resolute stance against irregular migration,” stated Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.
Germany has hardened its position on migration in recent years, as the government attempts to reclaim the initiative following a surge in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) on the matter.
The presence of asylum seekers as suspects in recent fatal knife assaults has exacerbated concerns regarding immigration. In August, three individuals were murdered in a knife attack in the western city of Solingen, which was claimed by the Islamic State group’s militants.
The AfD achieved its first victory in a state election since World War Two earlier this month in Thuringia.
The announcement is made just two weeks prior to an election in Brandenburg, where Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Faeser’s centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) are vying to maintain government-level control.
Another potential measure of European unity is the implementation of temporary border controls.
Germany’s land frontier, which spans over 3,700 kilometers (2,300 miles), is shared with Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland.
Austria’s Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner, informed Bild newspaper on Monday that his country would not accept any migrants who were turned away by Germany at the border.
“There’s no room for manoeuvre there,” according to him.
“This is the law.” He also stated, “I have instructed the head of the federal police to prohibit any returns.”
Last year, Germany implemented more stringent border controls with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland in response to a significant surge in first-time asylum applications.
