German legislators approve stricter border regulations
Germany has approved a motion for stricter border controls, a decision that critics argue breaches Schengen regulations. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The Bundestag has voted to implement stricter migration measures in response to a tragic knife attack in Bavaria.
The German parliament approved a motion to enhance border controls, calling for increased checks at land borders amid rising immigration and security concerns. Critics argue that these steps might contravene EU laws related to the Schengen agreement on free movement.
This decision came after a fatal knife attack in Bavaria last week, where a rejected Afghan asylum-seeker killed two people, including a toddler, and injured several others. Friedrich Merz, the opposition leader from the Christian Democratic Union, has since advocated for urgent measures, stressing the need for stricter border enforcement and continuous patrols.
Merz’s nonbinding motion narrowly passed with 348 votes in favor and 345 against, receiving significant support from the right-wing Alternative for Germany party. The motion proposes indefinite border controls, random identity checks, and the detention of individuals lacking valid residency.
This initiative reflects a broader trend in Europe, where nations such as Austria, Denmark, and France have reinstated border controls and heightened security measures in reaction to similar concerns.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressed his approval of the Bundestag's decision, stating “Good morning, Germany! Welcome to the club,” on X on Thursday, as Budapest has also adopted stricter border policies in recent years.
However, the move has sparked protests, with hundreds demonstrating in Berlin on Wednesday. Opponents, including German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, argue that this motion could undermine EU unity and breach the principles of the Schengen freedom of movement agreement. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser also warned that Berlin might face legal challenges from Brussels.
This vote occurs ahead of Germany’s parliamentary elections scheduled for February 23, following the disintegration of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s governing ‘traffic light’ coalition. Currently, the CDU is leading in the polls, followed by the AfD and then Scholz’s Social Democratic Party.
As Europe’s largest economy, Germany continues to be a primary destination for irregular migrants, receiving nearly a quarter of the over 500,000 asylum applications filed in the EU during the first half of 2024. The majority of these migrants originate from Syria and Afghanistan, according to the European Union Agency for Asylum.
Additionally, there has been an increase in violent crime in Germany, with non-Germans disproportionately involved. Police statistics in Bavaria for 2023 indicate that nearly 40% of violent crimes were committed by foreigners, who constitute only 16% of the population.
A recent Ipsos survey revealed that more than a third of Germans perceive immigration as a significant issue affecting their lives.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
The German parliament approved a motion to enhance border controls, calling for increased checks at land borders amid rising immigration and security concerns. Critics argue that these steps might contravene EU laws related to the Schengen agreement on free movement.
This decision came after a fatal knife attack in Bavaria last week, where a rejected Afghan asylum-seeker killed two people, including a toddler, and injured several others. Friedrich Merz, the opposition leader from the Christian Democratic Union, has since advocated for urgent measures, stressing the need for stricter border enforcement and continuous patrols.
Merz’s nonbinding motion narrowly passed with 348 votes in favor and 345 against, receiving significant support from the right-wing Alternative for Germany party. The motion proposes indefinite border controls, random identity checks, and the detention of individuals lacking valid residency.
This initiative reflects a broader trend in Europe, where nations such as Austria, Denmark, and France have reinstated border controls and heightened security measures in reaction to similar concerns.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressed his approval of the Bundestag's decision, stating “Good morning, Germany! Welcome to the club,” on X on Thursday, as Budapest has also adopted stricter border policies in recent years.
However, the move has sparked protests, with hundreds demonstrating in Berlin on Wednesday. Opponents, including German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, argue that this motion could undermine EU unity and breach the principles of the Schengen freedom of movement agreement. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser also warned that Berlin might face legal challenges from Brussels.
This vote occurs ahead of Germany’s parliamentary elections scheduled for February 23, following the disintegration of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s governing ‘traffic light’ coalition. Currently, the CDU is leading in the polls, followed by the AfD and then Scholz’s Social Democratic Party.
As Europe’s largest economy, Germany continues to be a primary destination for irregular migrants, receiving nearly a quarter of the over 500,000 asylum applications filed in the EU during the first half of 2024. The majority of these migrants originate from Syria and Afghanistan, according to the European Union Agency for Asylum.
Additionally, there has been an increase in violent crime in Germany, with non-Germans disproportionately involved. Police statistics in Bavaria for 2023 indicate that nearly 40% of violent crimes were committed by foreigners, who constitute only 16% of the population.
A recent Ipsos survey revealed that more than a third of Germans perceive immigration as a significant issue affecting their lives.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
