The new restrictions came into force yesterday in the wake of a string of deadly knife attacks in which the suspects were asylum seekers, and after the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) made big gains in local elections.
The aim, according to interior minister Nancy Faeser, is to curb migration and “protect against the acute dangers posed by Islamist terrorism and serious crime”. However, critics suggest it will damage the economic asset that is the free-movement Schengen zone, which includes 25 EU nations plus four others including Switzerland and Norway.
Germany, the EU’s largest country, is located in the heart of Europe and borders more countries than any other EU member. Temporary checks are permitted in certain circumstances, such as threats to internal security. Restrictions were already in place at Germany’s eastern and southern borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Austria, and they will now also apply for around six months at the borders with France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Denmark.
This story is from the September 17, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 17, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Joshua is 'willing to die' in Wembley battle of Britain
Anthony Joshua has insisted that he is ready to “give everything to be victorious” against Daniel Dubois on Saturday, as the Britons clash at Wembley Stadium.
City's man for all occasions.could be named world No 1
Rodri may be first defensive midfielder to win Ballon d'Or
Liverpool overcome poor start to beat Milan in style
Another first for Arne Slot at Liverpool, and one that was much more significant than a debut win in this new Champions League.
Guardian parent company in talks to sell Observer
The Guardian Media Group (GMG) is in talks to sell The Observer newspaper to Tortoise Media, a news business launched in 2019 by a former BBC executive. The media giant is in exclusive discussions to sell the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.
'People can have a fantastic.second act. I'm living mine'
Actor and comic Omid Djalili is back for a fiery new stand-up tour. He tells Helen Coffey how he managed to channel rage into humour and why he's not leaving comedy to the young
Islamist party makes shock return to Kashmiri politics
Observers split on motivation of Jamaat-e-Islami, banned under terror laws and which boycotted elections for 30 years
US rapper charged with sex trafficking and racketeering
Sean \"Diddy\" Combs, the rapper and music mogul who has faced allegations of sexual abuse, was charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, according to a federal indictment unsealed yesterday.
Suspect in Trump shooting lurked for hours in bushes
The gunman accused of trying to assassinate Donald Trump hid in the bushes of the former president's Florida golf club for almost 12 hours, according to officials.
'I am a rapist', says husband of sexually abused woman
A French man accused of drugging his wife and recruiting dozens of strangers to rape her over a decade has declared in court: “I am a rapist, like everyone else in this courtroom.”
Hezbollah vows to retaliate after pager attack kills nine
Officials in Lebanon and Syria blame Israel for the explosions