Merkel Warns Schengen Zone at Risk Amid Germany's Border Crackdown

Merkel Sounds Alarm Over Schengen Zone Stability

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has issued a stark warning that tighter national migration policies could destabilize the European Union and undermine the Schengen zone. Her comments come as Germany implements controversial new border controls that mark a reversal of her 2015 open-door policy.

Germany's Border Policy Shift

The new measures, introduced by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, prohibit asylum applications at all German land borders with exceptions for vulnerable groups. This represents a significant departure from Merkel's approach during the 2015-16 refugee crisis.

Key aspects of Germany's new policy:

• Asylum applications banned at land borders
• Exceptions for children, pregnant women, and vulnerable individuals
• Additional 3,000 officers deployed to borders

Threat to Schengen Freedom

Merkel emphasized that such national measures threaten the fundamental principles of the EU and Schengen visa-free travel area. "I do not believe we can decisively combat illegal migration at the German-Austrian or German-Polish border... I have always advocated European solutions," she stated.

The former chancellor warned that without EU-level coordination on migration and travel policies, "we could see Europe destroyed."

Political Context

The policy shift comes amid:

• Record asylum applications in Germany (237,000 in 2023)
• Rising support for anti-immigration AfD party
• Growing pressure on border personnel

German police have warned the new border controls may only be sustainable for "a few more weeks" due to operational challenges, despite additional officer deployments.