Germany could extend its border controls beyond December 15, 2024, after Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said those measures could potentially last until new EU asylum rules come into force next year.
Faeser argued that border controls with Austria, Poland, Switzerland and the Czech Republic would help reduce irregular migration and stressed that they should be maintained. “as long as necessary”reports Schengen.News.
In my opinion, border controls should remain in place as long as necessary. We have had great success in reducing irregular migration and the fight against smugglers has been very effective.
Border controls in Germany to continue beyond 15 December
Germany is currently maintaining controls at its borders with Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland and Switzerland. The border controls with the Czech Republic and Poland are to last until December 15th, and those with Austria until November 11th.
Due to the Olympic Games in Paris, the German authorities also introduced border controls with France. In addition, the country maintained border controls at all its borders during the UEFA European Football Championship in June this year.
However, according to the German Interior Ministry’s latest plans, December 15 may not be the last day on which border controls remain in effect.
Greens call for abolition of border controls
German Green politicians recently wrote a letter to the European Commission expressing their concerns about the ongoing controls by the German authorities.
In the letter, Green Party politicians stated that Germany, together with seven other EU countries, was not acting in accordance with the Schengen Borders Code.
In addition, a new report shows that the intended effect of border controls and the associated reports of success are highly questionable and often not statistically proven. Instead, there are indications of detours, double counting and possibly unlawful rejections.
The letter was also signed by MEPs Anna Cavazzini and Erik Marquardt, Bundestag members Filiz Polat and Marcel Emmerich, and member of the Brandenburg state parliament Sahra Damus.
The Green MPs argued that the introduction of border controls at events such as UEFA or the Olympic Games was understandable as a short-term measure. However, once these events are over, there must be an end to the stationary border controls, which have sometimes been in place for years.
Last month, the parliamentary group leader of the smaller coalition partner FDP, Christian Dürr, together with some of the country’s interior ministers, called for a further expansion of border controls on the grounds that these would help the country curb irregular migration.
