German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has recently tightened national security measures in response to increasing threats.
threat
Another major concern is the rise of extremism within Germany itself, with the number of extremist crimes reaching a record high in 2023. This threat comes from both Islamic terrorism and right-wing extremist groups. Faeser has also proposed controversial measures in this regard, such as expanding police powers to secretly enter the homes of terror suspects to install spyware. This proposal has met with considerable resistance, particularly from the liberal FDP, which warns of an infringement of fundamental rights.
Germany shares a land border of over 3.700 kilometres with nine neighbouring countries: Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland. All of these countries are part of the Schengen area, meaning that there are normally no border controls.
border controls
In addition, Faeser has focused on border controls, particularly along Germany’s eastern borders with Poland and the Czech Republic, in an effort to curb irregular migration and cross-border crime. She wants to extend these controls, which were originally temporary, until after December 2024. The measure is aimed at tackling people smuggling and illegal migration, but has been criticised by coalition partners such as the Greens, who claim it goes against the Schengen Agreement and free movement within the EU. The debate on migration and security has been particularly heightened following recent attacks, such as the knife attack in Solingen that left three people dead, and increasing pressure on the government to introduce stricter immigration and security measures,
