German police stepped up checks at the country's borders on Monday as the new government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz takes a tough stance against illegal immigration, the DPA reported.
A spokesman for the federal police in the southern state of Bavaria said more checks were being carried out at the borders with Austria and the Czech Republic, and travelers would notice a stronger presence. Police have also re-opened checkpoints on less-used roads, including bridges such as the one over the Saalach River that connects the Austrian city of Salzburg with the German city of Freilassing.
The measures come just two days after the new conservative government took office. It has promised to maintain temporary border controls introduced by previous governments and to implement a more aggressive policy of turning back illegal migrants, even if they have already applied for asylum.
The new Interior Minister Alexander Dobrintz presented the measures earlier today, but they have already provoked strong reactions from neighboring countries. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed his dissatisfaction during a joint press conference with Merz, and the Swiss Ministry of Justice published a criticism on the "Ex" platform, saying that countermeasures were being considered.
German police have not yet confirmed whether any asylum seekers have already been turned back under the new policy. Increased checks have also been announced at the borders with the Netherlands and Belgium.
Despite the announced measures, a DPA journalist in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia reports few visible signs of increased controls. To this, a police spokesman replied: “If you can't see us, that's good - because then the people we want to control won't see us either.“