Germany announced that it will implement stricter border controls with neighbouring countries starting next week, following deadly migrant attacks that have fueled far-right gains in recent state elections. The measures will be in place for at least six months as a “last resort” response to the attacks, which have sparked public outrage and led to a far-right party winning the most seats in state elections since World War II.
The opposition party CDU has ended negotiations with the ruling coalition on migration controls, citing a lack of effective measures. The upcoming state elections in Brandenburg are expected to prioritize security as a key issue for voters. Tighter controls at the Austrian, Swiss, Czech, and Polish borders are already in place, with the hope of returning thousands of migrants.
The German government has turned back 30,000 migrants at the border with Austria over the past 11 months and resumed deportations to Afghanistan. However, an anti-migration sentiment has been growing in Germany after taking in 1 million refugees in 2015 and granting asylum to another 1 million Ukrainians in 2022.
While foreign workers have generated significant revenue for Germany, experts warn of the far-right’s influence on policies and the risk of left-leaning parties adopting similar strategies to win back voters. The upcoming federal elections next year will be crucial in shaping Germany’s future stance on migration and border controls.
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