Germany expands border controls to all nine national borders

The federal government has decided to extend border controls to all nine national borders. This measure will come into effect on Monday and is part of an increased commitment to combating irregular migration and human trafficking, which has caused discontent among some neighboring countries. Until now, controls were concentrated on the eastern borders with Poland and the Czech Republic as well as the southern borders with Switzerland and Austria. Under the new regulation, controls will be extended for six months to the northern border with Denmark and the western borders with the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Luxembourg. This expansion effectively suspends the Schengen provisions guaranteeing the freedom of movement within the European Union and could lead to tensions within the EU.