Germany : In a pivotal shift from its long-standing policy of welcoming migrants and asylum seekers, the German government has announced significant measures to strengthen border controls along its frontiers with Poland and the Czech Republic. This move comes in response to mounting political pressure and concerns over an increasing number of people crossing illicitly into Germany’s eastern regions.
Immigration Dilemma of Germany
Over the past months, certain eastern regions of Germany have witnessed a rise in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD), which has been vocally critical of what it perceives as unchecked immigration. The upcoming state elections in Bavaria and Hesse have only intensified the debate, prompting mainstream political parties to address the growing asylum seeker issue.
This shift in policy marks a departure from the era of former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who championed an open-door policy for asylum seekers, even during the height of the migrant crisis. Analysts suggest that the resurgence of right-wing populism in some regions has compelled Germany to reconsider its approach to immigration.
A New Approach: Flexible Priority Checks
The German government’s new measures entail “flexible priority checks” along known smuggling routes to combat criminal organizations involved in human trafficking.
These checks will be mobile and carried out at changing locations, as explained by the Interior Ministry. However, they fall short of stationary border controls, which have been in place on the Austrian border since 2015. Stationary checks could potentially conflict with European Union rules.
Nancy Faeser, the interior minister, emphasized the need to thwart smugglers who exploit vulnerable migrants for profit, stating, “We must stop the cruel business of smugglers who put human lives at risk for maximum profit.”
A Shift in Numbers and Concerns
While the influx of asylum seekers reached its peak nearly a decade ago when one million people entered Germany in a single year, recent statistics show a declining trend.
In 2022, approximately 217,770 first-time asylum applications were registered. In the first eight months of 2023, there were about 204,460 such applications, according to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. These figures do not include over one million Ukrainians who entered Germany following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as they are not required to seek asylum.
However, concerns over the financial burden of caring for new arrivals have intensified, with mayors and district leaders criticizing the federal government for inadequate support. These complaints have further pressured the government to take action against illegal smuggling rings and tighten border controls.
Political Tensions and Internal Disagreements
The debate over how to handle new arrivals has strained relations with neighbouring countries like Poland, raising concerns about potential congestion at crossing points and disruptions in trade.
The governing coalition in Germany, comprising the centre-left Social Democrats, the Free Democratic Party, and the Greens, has experienced internal divisions on immigration policy. While the Greens recently supported a Europe-wide proposal to strengthen external borders, the Free Democrats have suggested reducing welfare payments to migrants as a means to deter immigration.
The Greens have also resisted declaring certain countries like Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, or India as safe countries, which would facilitate the deportation of rejected asylum applicants.
A Response to a Nation in Flux
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, aware of the divisive nature of the immigration issue in Germany, has taken action to address the concerns raised by various quarters. As immigration continues to be a hot-button topic, the government’s decision to reinforce border controls represents a significant policy shift that reflects the evolving landscape of German politics.
Sudha David-Wilp, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, remarked, “Germany has benefited from the spirit of openness of the European Union, and for the country now to put up even temporary borders shows that there is a lot of backlash in the country about migration.”
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