From next week, Germany will enforce controls at its borders once again. The decision, announced by interior minister Nancy Faeser, comes only a little more than a week after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved major successes in several regional elections.
Faeser said that border controls would be applied to tackle irregular immigration as well as to strengthen internal security against the threat of Islamic terrorism and international criminality. These permanent controls will replace the usual spot checks common at borders within the European Union for six months, although it is possible that they could be extended.
The government may hit the panic button if the rise of the AfD cannot be halted
Tighter controls have already been enforced at the border between Germany and Austria in an attempt to stop irregular immigration coming from the south east of Europe. Today’s decision means that the borders between Germany and every other neighbouring country, including Denmark and western Europe, cannot be passed without checks.
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