Germany -

Germany’s recent decision to extend temporary border controls across all its land borders has sparked a wave of criticism from its neighbours. The move, which is part of Germany’s response to irregular migration, has been labelled “unacceptable” by Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk and has also been criticised by officials in other countries. The decision highlights growing tensions over migration policies and border management in Europe, as countries grapple with how to handle rising numbers of refugees and migrants. Background to Germany’s decision Germany’s interior minister, Nancy Fieser, announced that from next Monday, border controls will be extended to cover all land borders, including those with France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Denmark. Previously, such controls applied to select borders. According to Fieser, the aim is to provide protection against “serious threats posed by Islamist terrorism and serious crime”. Under the new rules, German police will be tasked with checking whether a refugee has already applied for protection in another European Union (EU) country. If they have done so, the process of deporting them will be swiftly initiated.

However, neighbouring countries have not liked the move. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned the decision, saying it was taken because of Germany’s internal political conflicts, rather than any genuine border security concern. The criticism reflects wider discontent among European countries, which are concerned about the potential impacts of Germany’s actions on their border policies and migration management.

European neighbours react
Germany’s decision has sparked reactions across the region. Poland, which has been dealing with a surge in illegal crossings on its border with Belarus since 2021, is particularly affected. Tusk has emphasized that Poland’s border policy is focused on countering the “hybrid war” being waged by Belarus and Russia rather than imposing more stringent controls on its borders with other EU countries such as Germany.

Austria has also taken a position on the issue. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner announced that Austria would not accept any migrants sent back by Germany. “There are no exemptions,” he said, reinforcing a firm stance that Austria will not bear the brunt of Germany’s border policy decisions. Austria, facing its own political pressures with far-right opinion polls ahead of upcoming elections, is unlikely to compromise on its border policies.

Impact on border communities
Communities along the borders are feeling the immediate impact of Germany’s decision. Joris Bengevoord, the mayor of a Dutch town near the German border, described the border checks as a “panic reaction.” He highlighted the delays experienced by residents during the Euro 2024 football championships, when Germany imposed temporary border controls. Such disruptions could become more frequent and affect cross-border trade, travel and daily life for people living in these areas.

Dutch transport groups such as TLN have criticised Germany for undermining the principles of the Schengen Agreement, which allows passport-free travel across much of Europe. They argue that these controls impede the free movement of goods and people, which is the cornerstone of the Schengen area.

Not everyone in the Netherlands is against Germany’s move, however. Some political figures, particularly on the right, see it as a necessary step. Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-immigration Freedom party, expressed his support for Germany’s decision and even suggested that the Netherlands should consider similar measures. Dilan Yesilgoz of the centre-right liberal VVD echoed this sentiment, saying the German plan sends a strong message about controls, even if it is largely symbolic.

Political context in Germany
The decision to increase border controls comes at a politically sensitive time for Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition government is facing increasing pressure following poor results in state elections in eastern Germany, where immigration has emerged as a key issue. In Thuringia, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party recently came in first place, highlighting the changing political landscape and growing public concern over migration. Another election is due in Brandenburg in less than two weeks, which further increases the urgency for the government to address these concerns.

The conservative opposition in Germany, led by the CDU/CSU parties, has been strongly critical of the government’s handling of migration. CDU leader Friedrich Merz accused the government of being “hopelessly divided internally” and not taking effective measures to control migration. Opposition parties initially agreed to attend a government-hosted migration summit to discuss next steps, but later backed out of the government’s ‘

In a surprising twist in the global migration discussion, Germany is exploring the possibility of using asylum facilities in Rwanda, which were originally funded by the United Kingdom. The idea, proposed by Germany’s Migration Agreements Commissioner Joachim Stampe, comes at a time when Europe is grappling with complex asylum policies and illegal migration.

Proposal: Germany interested in U.K.-funded facilities
Joachim Stampe, a prominent member of Germany’s Free Democratic Party (FDP), recently suggested that Germany could consider using asylum processing facilities in Rwanda, which were funded by the U.K. The proposal came as Germany was looking for solutions to manage refugees more effectively. Stampe’s suggestion comes in the wake of the U.K.’s decision to abandon its controversial Rwandan deportation plan, which was aimed at preventing illegal crossings of the Channel.

The U.K.’s original plan, which was conceived under the Conservative government, was aimed at making the U.K. The idea was to send refugees arriving in the U.K. to Rwanda for processing. The idea was to prevent illegal migration by transferring claimants to a third country. However, the plan faced significant legal challenges and criticism, and was eventually scrapped by the new Labour government.

Despite the U.K. abandoning the plan, the facilities built in Rwanda remain. Stamp suggests that Germany could potentially use these facilities to process some of its refugees, making use of infrastructure that already exists.

Chancellor Scholz’s scepticism
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed scepticism about the concept of processing asylum claims abroad. Scholz’s cautious stance reflects concerns about the legal and humanitarian implications of such arrangements. While the proposal to use U.K.-funded facilities is intriguing, it is unlikely to gain momentum given the chancellor’s objections and the complex legal considerations involved.

The idea of processing asylum applications in third countries raises many questions. International humanitarian law, human rights concerns and the practicalities of such arrangements are all factors that need careful consideration. Scholz’s previous statements indicate that he views processing applications abroad as fraught with complexities and potential harms.

The UK’s cancelled Rwanda plan
The UK’s Rwandan deportation plan was part of a wider strategy to address illegal immigration and human trafficking. The plan was intended to send refugees to Rwanda, where their claims would be processed. If accepted, they could remain in Rwanda; if rejected, they could apply to settle in Rwanda on other grounds or seek asylum elsewhere.

The plan, however, faced fierce opposition from various quarters. Critics argued it was both inhumane and impractical, while legal challenges prevented its implementation. The Labour government’s decision to scrap the plan was influenced by these concerns and the need to develop a more humane and effective immigration strategy.

Germany’s migration challenges
Like many European countries, Germany is grappling with significant migration challenges. The rise of far-right parties such as the Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) has intensified the debate on immigration policy. The AfD’s success in recent state elections underscores the growing pressure on mainstream parties to address migration issues more decisively.

Germany’s interest in exploring alternatives to managing refugees reflects a broader European trend. With asylum systems across the continent under strain, countries are looking for innovative solutions to handle large numbers of applicants and prevent illegal migration.

UNHCR’s role
Stamp’s proposal includes the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) overseeing the processing of asylum seekers in third countries. This approach aims to ensure that the process complies with international humanitarian standards and provides protection to asylum seekers. UNHCR involvement will be crucial in addressing legal and ethical concerns associated with the processing of asylum claims abroad.

UNHCR involvement can also help address concerns about the adequacy of asylum procedures and the protection of rights. Ensuring that asylum seekers are treated fairly and humanely is a fundamental aspect of international refugee law and will be an important consideration in any plans involving a third country process.

Political reactions and implications
The proposal to use UK-funded facilities in Rwanda has drawn varied reactions from political figures. The Labour Party has criticised the UK’s Rwanda plan as a costly and ineffective measure. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party has accused Labour of abandoning a strategy that was designed to tackle illegal immigration and benefit smugglers.

In Germany, political reactions to the stamp proposal have been mixed, with some seeing it as a potential solution to migration challenges.

Tag: Germany

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