Germany is reinstating border controls starting today. For six months, police will carry out surprise or systematic checks at the borders. The aim is to combat illegal immigration, a controversial measure in the rest of the European Union.
This morning, Samy was stopped at the German border while he was traveling between Paris and Cologne. He has already been stopped for 30 minutes.I thought this was Europe, that we could move around freely, but no, apparently not. That said, I have nothing against control, but a little more speed wouldn’t hurt” he confides, dejected.
Until at least 2025
This situation is likely to recur regularly until 2025, on more than 3,000 kilometers of German borders. The aim is to strengthen the country’s security against the terrorist threat.Basically, our operations are flexible and tactical. We carry out checks in uniform at the crossing points, but we also intervene discreetly, in civilian clothes, in the border areas. Our actions also cover a perimeter of 30 kilometers around the borders.” explains Richard Koster, head of the federal police for the Aachen area.
A decision that provokes reactions
This temporary measure has sparked many reactions in Europe. Some neighbouring countries fear worsening traffic jams, while others consider these controls to be contrary to the principles of the Schengen area.What Germany is doing here is exactly what it had asked its European partners not to do. It is breaking European solidarity by managing the migration issue alone, while shifting the responsibility onto its neighbours.“, analyses Martin Deleixhe, specialist in the history of European democracy.
If you are planning to cross the German border soon, don’t forget your identity papers… and a little patience.
border control
