Germany's new administration has reinstated border checks to deter migration, coinciding with similar actions by neighboring nations. This shift raises concerns over the EU's fundamental principles of free movement.
Germany Reinstates Border Controls Amid Migration Concerns

Germany Reinstates Border Controls Amid Migration Concerns
The German government has initiated strict border checks in response to rising migration fears, impacting free movement within the EU.
Germany's recent move to reintroduce border checks has marked a significant shift in its migration policy and the European Union's long-held ideals of free movement. In the wake of substantial voter concerns following an influx of asylum seekers over the past decade, the German government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz has opted to enhance border security significantly.
Reports from the twin towns of Slubice, Poland, and Frankfurt an der Oder, Germany, illustrate the practical implications of these renewed checks. One instance involved the No. 983 bus, which experienced an eight-minute delay due to German police inspections upon crossing the Oder River. This kind of border control has become a commonplace experience for travelers and reflects the tightening grip on migration policy.
The reintroduction of border checks isn't confined to Germany alone; other EU nations, including Poland and Austria, have recently followed suit, citing similar migration pressures. Historically, the European Union has favored open borders, allowing citizens from member states to move freely. However, provisions allow individual countries to reimpose checks temporarily if faced with significant public security threats.
As a result of the new measures implemented in May, officials report that an average of 110 migrants are being prevented from entering Germany every day. This increase is notable compared to the preceding months and exemplifies the country's heightened vigilance in managing its borders. The intertwining of migration fears and border security practices threatens to challenge the very foundation of cooperation and unity that the EU was built upon.
Reports from the twin towns of Slubice, Poland, and Frankfurt an der Oder, Germany, illustrate the practical implications of these renewed checks. One instance involved the No. 983 bus, which experienced an eight-minute delay due to German police inspections upon crossing the Oder River. This kind of border control has become a commonplace experience for travelers and reflects the tightening grip on migration policy.
The reintroduction of border checks isn't confined to Germany alone; other EU nations, including Poland and Austria, have recently followed suit, citing similar migration pressures. Historically, the European Union has favored open borders, allowing citizens from member states to move freely. However, provisions allow individual countries to reimpose checks temporarily if faced with significant public security threats.
As a result of the new measures implemented in May, officials report that an average of 110 migrants are being prevented from entering Germany every day. This increase is notable compared to the preceding months and exemplifies the country's heightened vigilance in managing its borders. The intertwining of migration fears and border security practices threatens to challenge the very foundation of cooperation and unity that the EU was built upon.