Germany on Monday implemented strict new land border controls in response to the growing threat of illegal immigration and extremism.
“We are strengthening security in the country through concrete actions and continue to take a tough stance against illegal immigration,” Interior Minister Nancy Fazer told a news conference.
AP Reports The ministry said it had notified the European Union of a directive to set up border controls at land borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark for six months.
It will start next week on September 16th and will be deadly Knife attack in Soligen Last month, three people were killed in a shooting by a Syrian asylum seeker who claimed to have been inspired by the Islamic State.
More recently, Munich police last week engaged in a shootout near the Israeli consulate, fatally wounding a gunman who authorities said they believed was planning to attack the consulate on the 52nd anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics attack.
The latest restrictions strengthen those already in place at land borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland.
Dutch politician Geert Wilders praised Germany's move and said the Netherlands should do the same.
“Until strong protection of the EU's external borders is achieved through the new Common European Asylum System, we need to further strengthen controls at our borders,” Faeser said.
She noted that Germany has already turned away more than 30,000 people trying to cross the border since October last year, the latest surge in people entering the country since then-Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the border to all migrants in 2015.
Controls are now needed to prevent the process from being abused.
“This will further restrict illegal immigration and protect our citizens from the serious dangers posed by radical Islamic terrorism and serious crime. We are doing all we can to better protect our citizens from these dangers,” Faezer said.
The order comes as Prime Minister Olaf Scholz's coalition government comes under pressure to take a tougher stance against illegal immigration.
