Closing German Borders; Undermining the EU?

The immigration crisis facing Europe may be set to become more complex as plans leaked to a German newspaper indicate that the German state is preparing to reinstate border control, bringing a halt to the ‘open-door’ policy that saw almost 1.5 million refugees arrive in 2015. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has come under political fire since announcing the increased intake of refugees, notably from within her own party, the Christian Democrat party, which wrote “the open borders policy we are now implementing is not in line with either European or German law, nor does it reflect the CDU’s programme.” Whilst Merkel has so far ignored the politics of welcoming more refugees, it appears that the practicalities of taking in so many people have begun to take its toll on the German state.

Arson attacks have been reported against refugee shelters on a nearly daily basis, arising from economic and security fears. The crisis has provided new ammunition for far-right political parties, whilst Germany’s civil and administrative infrastructure has been stretched to the breaking point. Police officers are being brought out of retirement in their thousands, whilst vacant commercial property is being seized in Hamburg and Bremen for use as refugee shelters. Local councils are warning of the real possibility of violent backlash, as local communities are increasingly deprived of facilities such as youth clubs and sports halls, and in some cases where residents are asked to take refugees into their own homes.

As well as responding to domestic concerns, it appears that the move to close Germany’s borders is aimed at pressuring eastern European countries in the lead up to the European Union-Turkey summit next Monday. Chancellor Merkel has stated her desire for a fixed refugee quota intake from Turkey, in exchange for Turkish action on limiting the number of migrants into Europe. However this plan has been met with hostility from Austria and several eastern European countries, which have instead suggested that Greece close its northern border, halting the refugee influx in Greece instead. Understandably, Greece has been highly critical of this policy, which essentially dumps the burden of immigration squarely upon the already economically struggling Greek state.

Whilst several eastern European states have failed in accepting refugees, most notably Viktor Orban’s Hungary – with his threats of constructing a fence along the Romanian border – it is debateable what effect a closure of borders by Germany would have. On the one hand, the prospect of increased numbers of refugee’s, as people are turned away from Germany, may pressure European politicians into finally co-operating in the face of this humanitarian crisis. However there is another, very real possibility, that this move from Germany will only further commit the Euro-zone to the unilateral, self-interested politics that have only worsened the crisis so far. Closing Germany’s borders would only increase pressure on states like Greece, who are finding it increasingly difficult to control maritime arrivals. With little to no support from Europe, and with as many as 3 000 people arriving every day, Greece will either collapse under the strain, or undertake increasingly draconian policies in stemming and deterring refugee flows. A closing of borders also indicates the supremacy of national self-interest, and breaks down the environment of transnational co-operation that will be required to prevent a humanitarian disaster, and to the effectively integrate refugees. Commentators have already raised concerns over the demise of the Schengen Area and the principles of freedom of movement, citing concerns that these unilateral policy actions undermine the institutions of the European Union, and bode poorly for the future of European co-operation and governance. Coupled with the rise of far-right political parties off the back of immigration fears, and their traditional Euro-scepticism, the future of the European Union – and the capacity of Europe to respond to this refugee crisis as a whole – appears increasingly at risk.

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