Berlin (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that Germany had extended temporary border controls for six months and informed the European Union.
“Today, we have again ordered temporary controls at all German borders for six months and notified the European Commission,”
Scholz expressed ahead of the February 23 vote in which immigration is a central theme.
German Chancellor said that this announcement demonstrated his intention to
“remain resolute in the fight against irregular migration.”
He said that to date, the checks had resulted in
“47,000 people being turned back at the border”.
Scholz stated data revealed his government’s measures were performing as the authorities had rejected 47,000 people at borders, asylum applications had declined by a third in 2024 from 2023, and 1,900 smugglers had been apprehended.
What are the political implications of Germany’s tougher border measures?
In Germany, the German Chancellor’s party SPD has faced growing pressure on migration issues. It came after various violent incidents linked to migrants and asylum seekers recently. A series of attacks, including a stabbing in Aschaffenburg carried out by a rejected Afghan asylum-seeker, have sparked public concern over migration. There are heightened fears surrounding immigrants, and that has spurred users to support ever-stricter policies.
How effective have Germany’s border checks been against illegal migration?
Germany has introduced broader border controls since September 16, 2024. These were reestablished as border controls for six months at all land borders of Germany for the purpose of providing concern over illegal migration and increasing internal security as a major driver.
Either way, a stretched asylum system could not hold up further on restrictions in irregular migration.
Romontiers, border checks before this expansion were in place with Poland, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. The measures involve fixed and mobile police in all nine neighbouring countries (France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark), among others already at work: Poland, Czech Republic, and Austria.
