Germany has announced plans to initiate stationary border controls with the Czech Republic starting this evening. These controls will also be implemented on the borders with Poland and Switzerland. The measures are expected to last ten days, but their duration could be extended up to two months. The main reason for implementing these controls is the increased number of asylum applications and the fight against smugglers. The controls will be random and are temporary measures related to the movement of migrants. The Czech Republic, Austria, and Slovakia have introduced similar interim measures.

Key Information

The German Ministry of the Interior announced the implementation of these measures on its website and did not exclude possible impacts on cross-border traffic due to potential delays. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced that she intends to inform the European Commission about the reintroduction of controls and to inform her colleagues in the affected countries about the government’s decision.

Opposition Support

The opposition in the Czech Republic has expressed concerns about the migration package related to this issue. Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan (STAN) confirmed that the controls will be conducted randomly and that he has already discussed this plan with Nancy Faeser. These controls aim to combat smugglers effectively, and these measures demonstrate that Europe needs a functional joint solution to protect external borders.

Long-term Measures

Germany has been conducting stationary controls at the borders between the federal state of Bavaria and Austria since 2015. These measures will be extended for another six months starting from November 12th. Recently, the Czech police have detained dozens of refugees thanks to these controls, as they are most frequently heading to Germany. By the beginning of October, there were 98,000 recorded illegal entries into the country.

These measures aim to ensure security at the borders and effectively control the movement of individuals. Their importance is evident in light of the increasing number of asylum applications and the fight against smugglers. Cooperation between countries is crucial to ensure the protection of external borders and the safety of citizens.

As Germany takes these steps to strengthen border controls with its neighbors, the primary goal is to address the rising number of asylum applications and combat human trafficking operations. The random and temporary nature of these controls signifies their focus on specific issues rather than a complete restriction on cross-border movement. However, the potential for delays in cross-border traffic underscores the need for efficient communication and coordination among affected countries and the European Commission to ensure a smooth implementation of these measures. These actions reflect the ongoing challenges and discussions around immigration and border security within the European Union.

Article by Prague Forum