Germany is planning to introduce border controls at all border crossings from September 16, 2024, and to develop a model for “denying entry to illegal migrants.”
In response to the increasing number of illegal border crossings, Germany began special checks last year at its land borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Austria. However, from September 16 onwards, these controls will be extended to all of Germany’s land borders. While EU Schengen zone rules generally prohibit border checks, member states can request an exemption from the European Commission.
“We want to further reduce illegal migration. To this end, we are now taking steps that go beyond the current measures in place,” said Interior Minister Faeser (SPD) in Berlin on Monday. The impact on neighboring countries and cross-border commuters is expected to be minimal, as proven by the checks conducted during the summer sporting events.
The German Greens, also part of the current governing coalition, previously warned that reintroducing checks would make it impossible to monitor which EU country is responsible for verifying and registering migrants’ data, as required by EU law.
The CDU suggested that Germany declare a state of emergency under Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which allows extraordinary measures to maintain public order. However, the European Court of Justice has repeatedly rejected the application of such measures.
Translated and edited by L. Earth
