Germany on Monday (Sep 16) reintroduced temporary controls on its western and northern borders to combat irregular migration and cross-border crime. According to the government, the border checks would now apply at Germany's land borders with France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Denmark for an initial six months.

Germany on Monday (Sep 16) reintroduced temporary controls on its western and northern borders to combat irregular migration and cross-border crime. According to the government, the border checks would now apply at Germany's land borders with France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Denmark for an initial six months. The restrictions were already in place at crossings with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland. A report by the news agency Reuters said that the border controls were part of a series of measures that the government has taken to toughen its stance on irregular migration following a surge in arrivals. Police to conduct border checks flexibly The German interior ministry said on Monday that the Federal Police would conduct the border checks flexibly, basing their actions on the current security situation and focusing on minimising disruption to commuters, travellers, and trade. Also read | Germany signs labour deal with Kenya, Ruto says agreement benefits both sides Travellers are advised by the ministry to carry valid identification, and non-EU (European Union) citizens should have their entry documents, including visas, ready for checks. The temporary border controls mark a further setback to free movement within the EU. Germany's neighbours criticise measure The measures have prompted criticism from Germany's neighbours. Reuters reported that Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for urgent consultations with other affected countries which fear having to absorb more asylum seekers and the impact on trade. Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer warned that if Germany introduced measures to send more immigrants back across their shared border, Austria would reciprocate by sending more people eastward towards the Balkans. Also watch | World Business Watch: Germany sees 10.7% increase in insolvencies in August × Border checks with Austria are scheduled to run until November 11. On the other hand, inspections at the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland are planned to run till December 15. 'Border controls blocked over 30k unauthorised entries' The border controls come against a backdrop of declining asylum applications in Germany, which fell by 21.7 per cent in the first eight months of 2024. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said the numbers had fallen, thanks in part to controls introduced last year, which blocked over 30,000 unauthorised entries. "That is why we will expand our temporary border control to include all of Germany's land borders, as I ordered today," Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in a statement. "My order is also intended to protect against the acute threat of Islamist extremist terrorism and serious cross-border crime," she added. (With inputs from agencies)

Germany reintroduces temporary controls on borders, irks neighbours

Germany's government announced temporary border controls at all of the country's land borders on Monday in what it called an attempt to tackle irregular migration and protect the public from threats such as Islamist extremism.

Germany's government announced temporary border controls at all of the country's land borders on Monday in what it called an attempt to tackle irregular migration and protect the public from threats such as Islamist extremism. The controls will start on Sept. 16 and initially last for six months, the interior ministry said in a statement. "We are strengthening internal security and continuing our hard line against irregular migration," Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said. Germany has hardened its stance on migration in recent years, as the government scrambles to retake the initiative after support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has surged over the issue. Recent deadly knife attacks in which the suspects were asylum seekers have stoked concerns over immigration. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a knife attack in the western city of Solingen that killed three people in August. The AfD earlier this month became the first far-right party since World War Two to win a state election, in Thuringia. Also read: Iran supplied missiles to Russia? After US, EU claims, Moscow issues statement The announcement comes just two weeks ahead of an election in Brandenburg where Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Faeser's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) are fighting to retain control of the government. The imposition of temporary border controls could be another test of European unity. Germany shares its more than 3,700-km-long (2,300 miles) land border with Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Austria's Interior Minister Gerhard Karner told Bild newspaper on Monday that his country would not take in any migrants turned away by Germany at the border. "There's no room for manoeuvre there," he said. "It's the law. I have directed the head of the federal police to not allow any returns," he added. Germany last year announced stricter controls on its land borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland in response to a sharp increase in first-time asylum requests. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Germany introduces border controls to keep irregular migration in check amid security concerns spike

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Germany reintroduces temporary controls on borders, irks neighbours

Germany introduces border controls to keep irregular migration in check amid security concerns spike