Mon Sep 09 15:41:32 UTC 2024: ## Germany Extends Border Controls Amidst Rising Migrant Numbers and Security Concerns

**Berlin, Germany** – In a move aimed at curbing irregular migration and bolstering internal security, Germany will extend temporary border controls to all of its borders, a government source confirmed to AFP on Monday. The decision comes amidst rising pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government to address concerns about migrant numbers and extremist activity.

The government source stated that the extended controls are intended to protect “internal security from the current threats posed by Islamist terrorism and cross-border crime.” The move follows several recent incidents, including a knife rampage in Solingen last month where the suspect had alleged ties to the Islamic State group, and a foiled “terrorist attack” on the Israeli consulate in Munich.

Alongside the expanded border controls, Germany will also streamline procedures to facilitate the return of irregular migrants at the border. These measures are likely to be welcomed by the far-right Alternative for Germany party, which has gained significant traction in recent polls by capitalizing on public anxieties about security and migration.

Germany has had temporary controls in place at its border with Austria since 2015 following a major influx of migrants. Last year, controls were expanded to the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland as concerns over migration intensified. The extended controls will be notified to the European Commission, which oversees the Schengen area, a zone that allows free travel across 25 EU member states and several other countries.

While the Schengen area generally prohibits border controls between member states, exceptions are permitted in exceptional circumstances, such as during the Covid pandemic or following security incidents. Germany’s decision to extend controls across all its borders reflects a growing sense of insecurity and a need to reassert control over its borders in the face of evolving challenges.

Read More