Germany has reintroduced temporary border controls with several neighboring countries, including Luxembourg, as part of broader measures to manage migration and security risks. The most recent official notification for Germany’s border controls is set to last until March 15, 2025, as part of efforts to address security risks linked to irregular migration, human smuggling, and pressures on the refugee accommodation system.
Germany is contemplating the extension of border controls with Luxembourg beyond March 2025. This potential move comes as part of ongoing efforts to manage migration and security concerns within the Schengen Area. While specific details are not available, the consideration of prolonged border checks suggests that Germany continues to prioritize national security measures, even with neighboring countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement. This development could have implications for the free movement of people and goods between the two countries, as well as broader impacts on the principles of open borders within the European Union.
This comes after Germany’s Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, said that these measures are helping to strengthen security further among the bloc, Schengen.News reports.
Last week, Faeser said that border controls may be extended after the initial six-month period.
Luxembourg Has Not Been Informed for These Plans
In response to the recently announced measure by Germany, Luxembourg’s Home Affairs Minister, Léon Gloden, told Luxembourg Times that the government has only been informed of this plan through the press.
The Luxembourg government has not yet been officially informed by Germany. Luxembourg disapproves of controls at the internal borders of the Schengen area and is in favour of strengthening controls at the external borders.
Through a statement, the ministry said that unnecessary disruptions to cross-border traffic should be avoided and the impact on the daily lives of people in Luxembourg must be kept as low as possible.
Reasons for Border Control Extension
The border controls, initially introduced as a temporary measure, were aimed at addressing the surge in irregular migration and combatting human smuggling. Since their implementation, German authorities have reported notable success. Faeser highlighted that the measures have significantly reduced irregular entries and thwarted human smuggling activities. This has prompted calls for their continuation, with Faeser asserting that the controls will remain “as long as necessary.”
Germany’s decision is part of a broader strategy to control migration more strictly, especially after an uptick in asylum applications in recent years. The controls currently in place with Austria are set to expire on November 11, 2024, while those with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland are scheduled to last until December 15, 2024. The proposed extension would see these measures remain in force for an additional year, aligning them with the timeline for the EU’s new asylum policy rollout.
Political Reactions and Criticism
The proposed extension has drawn mixed reactions from Germany’s political landscape and neighboring countries. Critics, including members of Germany’s Green Party, argue that the border controls violate the principles of the Schengen Agreement, which ensures the free movement of people within the EU. Green Party representatives have called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to intervene, emphasizing that the controls disrupt the fundamental rights of EU citizens.
The Greens’ opposition is rooted in the belief that the controls are disproportionate and incompatible with the Schengen Border Code. According to this code, internal border controls can only be reinstated temporarily and in response to serious threats to public policy or internal security. Germany’s decision to maintain them for an extended period has, therefore, been met with legal and political challenges.
Support for the Measure
Despite the criticism, some political figures and government officials support the extension. Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann has backed the plan, citing the need for stronger border controls to ensure national security and manage migration more effectively. Herrmann argued that the heightened checks are essential to safeguarding Germany from potential threats posed by human trafficking networks and irregular migration.
Supporters of the measure point to statistics on the effectiveness of the controls. Reports indicate that over 1,000 illegal entries or attempted entries were detected around major events such as the Euro 2024 football championship. The increased police presence at border crossings has been credited with deterring would-be migrants and disrupting the operations of human smuggling networks.
Legal Implications and the Role of the European Commission
Under the Schengen Agreement, countries are permitted to temporarily reintroduce border controls but must provide clear justification and comply with EU laws. If Germany wishes to extend its controls until the end of 2025, it will need to notify the European Commission and provide sufficient evidence of a continued security threat.
Past precedent shows that the EU has allowed for limited border controls during special events, such as international sports competitions and other high-profile gatherings. However, long-term extensions like the one Germany is proposing could face stricter scrutiny from the European Commission, especially given the criticism from domestic political actors and human rights advocates.
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