Germany is ramping up border controls with neighboring countries to tighten security measures following deadly migrant attacks that have fueled far-right gains in recent state elections. The new controls along the land borders with France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Luxembourg are set to be in place for at least six months, as a “last resort” in response to public outrage over the attacks.
The move comes after a series of deadly knife attacks by migrants, which have led to a surge in support for far-right parties in Germany. The opposition party CDU recently ended negotiations with the ruling Ampel coalition over migration controls, citing a lack of agreement on effective measures.
Brandenburg is set to vote in just under two weeks, with polls indicating that security is a top priority for voters. The government hopes that the stricter border controls will allow for the return of thousands of migrants at the border, as has already been seen at the Austrian, Swiss, Czech, and Polish borders.
Despite a growing anti-migrant sentiment in Germany, a recent study found that foreign workers have generated billions in revenue in the east German states. The rise of far-right parties has also prompted concerns that left-leaning parties may adopt far-right policies in a bid to appeal to voters ahead of federal elections next year.
The government’s decision to grant asylum to Ukrainian refugees has been met with criticism amid economic challenges, including high inflation and an energy crisis. Experts warn that the danger of the far right lies not only in their potential to win elections but also in the potential for mainstream parties to adopt their policies.
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