Berlin - Brussels: Europe and the Arabs - Agencies
The new German government, headed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has announced that it will tighten and expand border controls in an effort to combat illegal immigration, immediately upon Merz assuming the German chancellorship.
The new German government, led by incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is preparing to adopt a more stringent approach to the migration issue, announcing strict measures that will be implemented at the country's borders starting May 6, upon Merz's swearing-in. According to a report by the Brussels-based Euronews website, Thorsten Frei, the incoming head of the Chancellery, announced that authorities will begin rejecting undocumented asylum seekers directly at the border, stressing that "anyone trying to enter Germany illegally must realize that the border will be the end of the road from that date."
Frei explained, in statements to a newspaper affiliated with the Funke media group, that the new government intends, from day one, to intensify identity checks at the borders and expand security controls, a move that could raise reservations from the European Commission regarding its compatibility with EU laws. These statements came after the Social Democratic Party (SPD) announced its agreement to join a coalition government led by Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), in alliance with the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU), thus forming a new ruling majority.
Frei emphasized that the principle of choosing one's country of asylum is no longer acceptable, saying, "Not everyone can apply for asylum in the country they want." He explained that European legislation stipulates that applications must be submitted in the first country a person enters within the European Union, which, he said, "is rarely Germany."
These statements reflect a clear shift in official discourse on immigration and a move toward a more controlled border policy, amid growing domestic pressure to review the asylum system and combat irregular migration.
Although the law technically grants Germany the authority to refuse entry at its borders to individuals without valid travel documents, this right is restricted by a complex legal framework, particularly when it comes to asylum seekers. Under EU asylum law, the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and German national legislation, authorities are generally obligated to admit asylum seekers at borders so their applications can be processed through formal procedures.
Germany tightened its border measures in September 2024, announcing temporary checks on its nine land borders as part of efforts to curb irregular migration. Although initially considered temporary, the move was soon extended, sparking angry reactions from some neighboring countries.
Among the most prominent critics was Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who described the measures as directly contradicting the essence of the Schengen Agreement, which is based on the principle of free movement between member states without border controls. Other countries, such as Austria, have also expressed reservations about re-admitting migrants rejected by Germany, given the absence of clear European coordination on migration and asylum burden-sharing. Controversial Measure
The European Union and its member states remain unclear regarding the extent to which they will accept Germany's decision to further tighten border controls and potentially deport asylum seekers directly at border crossings. While the European Commission continues to emphasize the importance of a collective and coordinated approach to addressing migration, the German move could spark tensions within the European Union, especially if it conflicts with the unified legal framework.
In this context, Thorsten Frei announced that the incoming government has already begun coordination consultations with neighboring countries, such as France, Austria, and Poland, stressing that the "anticipated changes" have received, in his words, "very broad approval." However, the European Commission did not issue any immediate comment on these announcements, although it has repeatedly emphasized that direct returns at borders violate EU law and called on member states to ensure that all asylum seekers have access to fair and equitable procedures. Although Brussels has granted Poland a temporary exemption allowing it to suspend asylum in special circumstances, this provision only applies in cases where migration is used as a tool of political or security pressure by external actors—conditions that do not apply to the situation in Germany. This raises legal and political questions about the legitimacy of Germany's next steps and the possibility that they will conflict with the fundamental principles upon which the European asylum system is based.