Germany’s new government imposed border checks to demonstrate toughness on migration, though crossings started slowing years ago.The New York Times reports that Germany’s new government has implemented stricter border checks in an effort to demonstrate toughness on migration, despite a decrease in crossings in recent years. The No. 983 bus was stopped by German police officers after crossing the Oder River from Poland, and a man with gray hair was removed from the bus for further inspection. This delay, which lasted about eight minutes, has become a common occurrence for those crossing between the two countries as Germany cracks down on migration.
This crackdown comes as a response to a backlash from voters over the influx of asylum seekers into the country over the past decade. Germany has set up checkpoints on all sides of its borders, and neighboring countries such as Austria and Poland have followed suit. These measures are beginning to undermine the principle of free movement within the European Union, which was established through agreements made 40 years ago.
While these agreements allow for temporary border controls in the event of a serious threat to national security or public policy, countries such as Germany, Poland, Austria, France, Italy, and the Netherlands have cited immigration concerns as the reason for reinstating border checks this year. As a result, enhanced checks have prevented an average of 110 migrants per day from entering Germany since May, when the new government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz tightened border security procedures. This is an increase from the 83 per day in the first four months of the year.
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