Germany has extended border controls for six months to limit irregular migration, ahead of the upcoming elections. Chancellor Olaf Scholz claims success in reducing migration figures, while opposition leader Friedrich Merz proposes even stricter measures if elected. The situation raises critical questions about national law versus EU regulations.
Germany has decided to extend its border control measures for an additional six months, originally imposed to curb the influx of migrants. This decision comes as the country approaches its upcoming election on February 23, 2024. Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced to the European Union that these measures will remain in place until September 15, demonstrating the government’s commitment to managing irregular migration effectively.
The implementation of these border checks has resulted in the return of 47,000 individuals at the borders, a notable decrease in asylum requests by one-third compared to the previous year. Furthermore, 1,900 smugglers have been apprehended during this enforcement phase. Prior to this extension, border controls were already active with Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland, and were expanded to encompass Germany’s borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark in September 2023.
The European Union, which has established the Schengen Area allowing seamless travel among its member states, recognizes that member nations can temporarily reintroduce border controls in response to severe threats to internal security. However, it stipulates that such measures should be a last resort and should not be prolonged beyond necessity.
In political discourse, Friedrich Merz, the opposition leader and election front-runner, has proposed more stringent measures. He suggests that upon assuming the chancellorship, he would mandate the Interior Ministry to implement permanent border controls, denying all instances of illegal entry without exceptions. Merz believes that current EU regulations are failing and emphasizes the need for prioritizing national law over EU legislation.
Chancellor Scholz, in contrast, asserts that Merz’s approach would conflict with both German and EU law. He warns that this could potentially undermine Germany’s relationship within the European Union, highlighting the complexities of balancing national interests with EU regulations.
In summary, Germany extends its border controls for six months as migration issues become central to the election campaign. The move has yielded significant results in countering illegal immigration, yet it raises important legal and diplomatic questions. The contrasting views of Chancellor Olaf Scholz and opposition leader Friedrich Merz illuminate the ongoing debate on migration policy and national sovereignty ahead of the upcoming elections.
Original Source: apnews.com
