German Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser announced on Tuesday her intention to extend border controls beyond their initial deadline on December 15, 2024. The Minister revealed this intention to reporters during a security tour across various German federal states.
During the second leg of her 2024 security tour, Minister Faeser visited the Federal Police at the German-Polish border in Görlitz, Saxony. The discussions centered on combating human trafficking, smuggling, and irregular migration—issues that have sharply divided Europe in recent months and prompted the adoption of a new EU migration and asylum pact. The border controls in question involve stationary checkpoints along the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland, aimed at curbing irregular migration and smuggling activities. While acknowledging small successes, Faeser told reporters that the controls should remain in place until a significant reduction in irregular migration is achieved.
Border checks are uncommon within the EU’s Schengen Area, where free movement is the norm, and any exemptions must be approved by the European Commission. Free movement is regulated through the Schengen Border Code of 2016, which permits internal border controls for specific and limited durations but requires strict adherence to the principle of proportionality under EU law. Germany was granted such an exemption following a sharp rise in irregular migration in 2023, and extended border checks during the 2024 European Football Championship. However, the exemption is temporary and set to expire on December 15, 2024. For Minister Faeser, this necessitates seeking a second exemption to extend border controls, particularly since the EU’s strict laws on irregular migration will only be introduced under the New Migration Pact set to take effect at the end of next year.
While Faeser and her party, the SPD (Social Democratic Party of Germany), have announced plans to seek an extension of border controls, the move has sparked concern among other political groups. The Green Party, a coalition partner of the SPD, argues that extending border controls conflicts with the Schengen Borders Code and violates the fundamental right to freedom of movement. In an open letter to the European Commission, the Greens described the border controls as “massive hurdles for the coexistence of Europe.” Conversely, conservative parties such as the CDU (Christian Democratic Union) have welcomed Faeser’s proposal, repeatedly emphasizing the need for heightened border controls in response to growing global security threats.
Although Faeser has yet to formally submit the request for an extension, it is uncertain whether the objections raised by opponents like the Green Party will be taken into consideration.
