Will we ever see images like those from the summer of 2015, which showed Germans jubilant over the arrival of the first Syrian refugees? Nine years on, doubts about the country’s ability to integrate refugees dominate much of the public debate, while Germany has been hit in recent years by several deadly attacks by radicalised individuals. The latest: the knife attack on the night of 23-24 August in Solingen, western Germany, by a 26-year-old Syrian refugee under deportation order, which left three dead and eight injured. On 5 September, an attempted attack on the Israeli consulate in Munich was also thwarted.
While the regional elections were dominated by a strong push from the far right, Olaf Scholz’s government is stepping up tough measures. On Monday, September 9, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) announced her intention to reintroduce temporary controls at all of Germany’s land borders from September 16, as part of a stepped-up fight against illegal immigration. Refugees who entered illegally could be turned back, she said. The measures, presented as temporary, will initially only last for six months.me Faeser said he had informed the European Commission of his initiative.
Internal border controls are in principle prohibited in the European Union, but the revision of the Schengen Code at the beginning of 2024 allows, in the event of foreseeable threats to public order or security, to impose them for a longer period of six months, subject to prior notification to the Commission, the Member States and the European Parliament. They may be extended in six-month periods for a period not exceeding two years.
“Smart controls”
Temporary border controls have been in place at Germany’s borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland for a year now. These will be strengthened and supplemented by border controls at France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark, M.me Phaser. The federal police will have additional positions and resources. “These are smart controlssays MP Nils Schmid (SPD), We are not going to stop all cars or close the borders as in the Covid era. Border police will be keeping a closer eye on crossings. » Additional measures aimed at increasing the number of migrants returned to Germany’s borders are being discussed with the opposition and were due to be announced on Tuesday.
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