Why Germany plans to reintroduce controls at all its land borders | DW News

Summary

Germany is set to reintroduce border controls at all land borders next week for six months, aiming to tackle irregular migration and ensure public safety. This move follows pressure from recent far-right electoral gains and security concerns, such as a knife attack by a Syrian Islamist. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced these measures, while some critics argue that the controls may only have a symbolic effect. Neighboring countries, including Austria, are watching closely. The move tests the EU's open-border policy and raises concerns about potential inner-European conflict.

Takeaways

• 🇩🇪 Germany is planning to reintroduce controls at all land borders for an initial period of six months to tackle irregular migration and protect public safety.
• 👁️ The decision comes amidst pressure on the government following the far-right AfD party's gains in recent regional elections and a knife attack by a Syrian Islamist.
• 🚫 Since last October, Germany has already denied entry to 30,000 irregular migrants, indicating a need for stronger border protection.
• 🔄 The interior minister, Nancy Faeser, announced the expansion of temporary controls to all national land borders to manage migration flows more effectively.
• 🤔 The new measures raise questions about the impact on EU's open internal borders policy and the potential for a shift in political climate towards more rule-breaking.
• 🚔 The practicality of controlling all land borders is questioned, with concerns that it may be more symbolic than effective in managing migration.
• 🏛️ The conservative opposition in Germany believes the border controls do not go far enough and is calling for more migrants to be turned back at the borders.
• 🤝 Cooperation among European countries and third states, along with better integration and activation of migrants, is suggested as a long-term solution to migration issues.
• 🚧 The German government is under scrutiny to develop a model that allows for sending people back directly at the border, which is legally and logistically complex.
• 🗣️ Neighboring countries are closely watching Germany's decision, with some, like Austria, unwilling to accept people sent away from Germany, potentially causing EU conflicts.

Q & A

What is Germany planning to do regarding its land borders from next week?

Germany plans to reintroduce controls at all land borders for an initial period of six months as a measure to tackle irregular migration and protect the public.

What is the reason behind Germany's decision to enforce border controls?

The decision is part of efforts to tackle irregular migration and to protect the public, following pressure after the far-right AfD party made gains in recent regional elections and after a Syrian Islamist who evaded deportation killed three people in a knife attack.

How has the far-right AfD party's recent success impacted Germany's policy on border controls?

The AfD party's success in regional elections, campaigning on an anti-immigration platform, has put pressure on Chancellor Olaf Schultz's government to bolster security, leading to the decision to expand temporary border controls.

What is the role of border controls in Germany's strategy to manage migration?

Border controls are intended to turn back irregular migrants and strengthen national border protection until a stronger European asylum system can be implemented.

How many irregular migrants has Germany denied entry to since last October?

Germany has denied entry to 30,000 irregular migrants since last October.

What is the expert opinion on the potential impact of Germany's border control measures on EU's open internal borders policy?

While there is a risk that these measures could signal a move away from the EU's open internal borders policy, the expert suggests that it's too early to tell and that it could be a temporary crisis response rather than a long-term change.

What is the potential issue with implementing border controls as a long-term solution to migration?

The expert suggests that border controls are not a clear solution and may not result in a significant drop in migration. They also mention the impracticality of controlling all land borders and the potential for a 'pingpong' effect of people moving back and forth.

What is the conservative opposition's stance on Germany's border control measures?

The conservative opposition believes that the border controls do not go far enough and is calling for significantly more migrants to be turned back at the borders.

How does the reintroduction of border controls align with EU law?

Under EU law, temporary border controls can be introduced as a last resort in extraordinary circumstances that threaten public policy or internal security. However, the legality of sending away migrants, especially asylum seekers, at the border is a contentious issue.

What is the potential impact of Germany's border control measures on cross-border commuters and trade?

There is concern that extended border controls may cause disruptions for commuters and affect trade within the EU, as seen with the lines of cars forming at the German-Polish border.

How are Germany's neighbors reacting to the decision to increase border controls?

Austria, for example, has indicated that it is not willing to take in people sent away from Germany, and other neighboring countries are closely watching the situation, which could test European unity and the principle of free movement within the EU.