Germany Resumes Border Checks, Frustrating Neighboring Countries

On September 16, Germany reinstated temporary checks at all of its land borders, a decision that has sparked criticism from neighboring countries while garnering support from domestic conservative factions.

These checks now extend to borders with France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark, in addition to the measures already in place at the borders of Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland.

This action deviates from the provisions of Europe’s Schengen area, which typically allows for passport-free movement among 25 EU countries and four others. The decision has raised concerns about the implications for free movement across Europe.

The reinstatement of border checks follows the recent electoral success of the far-right party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), and a spate of knife attacks in which asylum seekers were reportedly involved. This combination has propelled concerns surrounding security and immigration to the forefront of German politics.

Germany’s Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, stated that these measures are necessary to “protect against the acute dangers posed by Islamist terrorism and serious crime,” underscoring the government’s focus on national safety.

Poland’s Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, condemned the check reinstitution, labeling them as “unacceptable” and indicating growing tensions among EU member states regarding immigration policies.

During the significant migrant crisis from 2015 to 2016, Germany was one of the leading countries to accept asylum seekers, notably under Chancellor Angela Merkel’s leadership. During this period, the country welcomed over one million migrants, which led to a marked anti-immigrant sentiment that has persisted in some regions.

Germany’s Council for Migration has spoken out against the government’s recent decision, arguing that the border checks approach a violation of European Union law. Their statement emphasized that the current policy aimed at turning back migrants seeking asylum represents a form of populism in the ongoing migration policy discourse.

This development within Germany highlights the delicate balance between national security concerns and the commitments to uphold the principles of the EU, particularly regarding freedom of movement. As tensions rise, other EU nations will likely weigh in, leading to further discussions on how to handle migration across borders within the framework of Schengen cooperation.

The potential impact of these border checks on Germany’s international relations is yet to be fully understood, with neighboring countries expressing concerns about how this decision could affect border dynamics across Europe.

As the situation evolves, the internal discourse within Germany and the reactions from other European nations will be crucial in shaping future immigration policies and border control measures as the continent navigates through complex migration challenges.