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Austria and Slovakia Follow Germany in Introducing Stricter Border Controls Austria, Slovakia and the Netherlands Introduce Border Controls
(about 1 hour later)
BERLIN — Austria and Slovakia introduced strict border controls on Monday, as Germany’s decision to institute border checks over the weekend began to ripple across a bloc struggling to deal with the influx of migrants coming to the Continent. BERLIN — Austria, Slovakia and the Netherlands introduced border controls on Monday, as Germany’s decision over the weekend to set up checks began to ripple across a bloc struggling to deal with the influx of migrants coming to the Continent.
In Hungary, the authorities said that a near-record 5,353 migrants had crossed into the country from Serbia before noon on Monday — even as Budapest continued to try to seal off that border, which has been reinforced with the construction of a razor-wire fence. In Hungary, the authorities said that a near-record 5,353 migrants had crossed into the country from Serbia before noon on Monday — even as Budapest continued to try to seal off that border, which is being reinforced with the construction of a 109-mile fence made with razor wire.
Citing Hungary’s decision to make unauthorized entry into the country a criminal offense starting on Tuesday, Serbia said it would set up reception centers in the north of the country and pleaded for the European Union, of which it is not a member, to take action. About 3,500 migrants were expected to pass through Serbia on Monday, most of them hoping to continue to Germany or Austria.Citing Hungary’s decision to make unauthorized entry into the country a criminal offense starting on Tuesday, Serbia said it would set up reception centers in the north of the country and pleaded for the European Union, of which it is not a member, to take action. About 3,500 migrants were expected to pass through Serbia on Monday, most of them hoping to continue to Germany or Austria.
While Berlin said the German border controls were only a temporary, emergency measure, the restrictions were a signal that Chancellor Angela Merkel’s welcoming stance toward the migrants was encountering domestic resistance. The Dutch authorities said that they would conduct spot checks at their country’s border with Germany.
While Berlin said the controls along the German-Austrian border were only a temporary, emergency measure, the restrictions, a response to the strain on local communities, signaled that Chancellor Angela Merkel’s welcoming stance toward the migrants was encountering domestic resistance.
Deputy Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel told members of his center-left Social Democratic Party, which governs with Ms. Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union, that Germany could face the arrival of even more migrants this year than the government had projected. “There are many indications that in this year we will not see 800,000 refugees, as predicted, but a million,” he said in a letter to his party.Deputy Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel told members of his center-left Social Democratic Party, which governs with Ms. Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union, that Germany could face the arrival of even more migrants this year than the government had projected. “There are many indications that in this year we will not see 800,000 refugees, as predicted, but a million,” he said in a letter to his party.
“Germany is strong and can handle a lot,” Mr. Gabriel wrote. “Nevertheless, in the past few days we have experienced how, despite our best efforts, our abilities have reached their limits.”“Germany is strong and can handle a lot,” Mr. Gabriel wrote. “Nevertheless, in the past few days we have experienced how, despite our best efforts, our abilities have reached their limits.”
Horst Seehofer, the premier of Bavaria, a deeply conservative state in the south, has criticized Ms. Merkel for her open-door policy. More than 25,000 migrants arrived in Bavaria over the weekend.Horst Seehofer, the premier of Bavaria, a deeply conservative state in the south, has criticized Ms. Merkel for her open-door policy. More than 25,000 migrants arrived in Bavaria over the weekend.
“There is no order, there is no system, and in a country governed by the rule of law, that is a cause for concern,” Mr. Seehofer told reporters on Sunday. He said that officials were straining to process and house thousands of newcomers, and that some of them were economic migrants, not people fleeing persecution.“There is no order, there is no system, and in a country governed by the rule of law, that is a cause for concern,” Mr. Seehofer told reporters on Sunday. He said that officials were straining to process and house thousands of newcomers, and that some of them were economic migrants, not people fleeing persecution.
“We need better controls in general, because we have determined that in recent days, many of those on the move are really not refugees,” Joachim Herrmann, the Bavarian interior minister, told a local television station. Officials in Eastern and Central Europe, including Hungary, have made similar arguments.“We need better controls in general, because we have determined that in recent days, many of those on the move are really not refugees,” Joachim Herrmann, the Bavarian interior minister, told a local television station. Officials in Eastern and Central Europe, including Hungary, have made similar arguments.
It was not immediately clear how long the German measures would remain in effect, but Mr. Herrmann estimated that they would last “at least a week.”It was not immediately clear how long the German measures would remain in effect, but Mr. Herrmann estimated that they would last “at least a week.”
The restrictions to the European Union’s border-free Schengen zone by Germany, one of the most ardent proponents of greater integration, signified a departure for Ms. Merkel, who had said just last week that there was “no upper limit” on the number of refugees her country could take in.The restrictions to the European Union’s border-free Schengen zone by Germany, one of the most ardent proponents of greater integration, signified a departure for Ms. Merkel, who had said just last week that there was “no upper limit” on the number of refugees her country could take in.
The Schengen Agreement, which guarantees passport-free movement within much of continental Europe, has served as a cornerstone of European unity, along with the euro and a single market. Countries in the Schengen Zone are allowed, however, to temporarily reinstate controls at their borders for security reasons.
Such controls have been set up seven times since 2013, when the rules were clarified for participating countries — but the first time such controls have been reinstated because of migratory pressures.
Steffen Seibert, a spokesman for Ms. Merkel, said the new measures were “not a closing of the border, or a suspension of the right to asylum,” but were an attempt to instill greater order on the chaos of the arrival and application process.Steffen Seibert, a spokesman for Ms. Merkel, said the new measures were “not a closing of the border, or a suspension of the right to asylum,” but were an attempt to instill greater order on the chaos of the arrival and application process.
“It also serves as a clear signal to our European partners that Germany, while prepared to take on a large share of responsibilities, cannot be solely responsible for taking in all refugees,” he said.“It also serves as a clear signal to our European partners that Germany, while prepared to take on a large share of responsibilities, cannot be solely responsible for taking in all refugees,” he said.
Nonetheless, Germany’s decision appeared to edge its neighbor, Austria, toward taking its own measures.Nonetheless, Germany’s decision appeared to edge its neighbor, Austria, toward taking its own measures.
“If Germany carries out border controls, Austria must put strengthened border controls in place,” said Chancellor Werner Faymann of Austria, who is scheduled to meet with Ms. Merkel on Tuesday.“If Germany carries out border controls, Austria must put strengthened border controls in place,” said Chancellor Werner Faymann of Austria, who is scheduled to meet with Ms. Merkel on Tuesday.
Mr. Faymann said that no asylum seekers had been turned back to Austria from the German border.Mr. Faymann said that no asylum seekers had been turned back to Austria from the German border.
Vienna said on Monday that it was sending 2,200 soldiers to help reinforce its eastern border. Last week, Hungary sent 4,300 troops to its border with Serbia, where they have been conducting drills and assisting in the construction of the border fence. Vienna said on Monday that it was sending 2,200 soldiers to help reinforce its eastern border. Last week, Hungary sent 4,300 troops to its border with Serbia, where they have been conducting drills and assisting in the construction of the fence.
Starting Tuesday, Hungary will treat illegal entry as a crime punishable by up to three years in prison rather than as a minor offense. Since the German controls took effect at 5 p.m. Sunday, thousands of refugees have gotten stuck in Austria. About 1,400 people slept in a converted parking garage in Salzburg on Sunday night; 1,000 of them boarded a train to Munich early Monday, though it was not clear whether they made it across the border.
In Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, officials announced temporary controls on its borders with Hungary and Austria, and the addition of 220 officers to police the borders. The scene in Vienna was calm. But at a train station there, Samin Mohebi, a migrant from Isfahan, Iran, said she had been detained for three days in Hungary before making her way — partly on foot — to Vienna. “Friends and family are already in Germany,” she said. “I’ve been moving for two weeks. I’ll wait one month here, but I must go there.”
The Schengen Agreement, which guarantees passport-free movement within much of continental Europe, has served as a cornerstone of European unity, along with the euro and a single market. Countries in the Schengen Zone are allowed, however, to temporarily reinstate controls at their borders for security reasons. In Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, officials announced temporary controls on Slovakia’s borders with Hungary and Austria, and the addition of 220 officers to police the borders.
Such controls have been set up seven times since 2013, when the rules were clarified, and 37 times since the Schengen rules were developed. But this is the first time such controls have been imposed because of migratory pressures. In Germany, the police on Monday checked trucks and cars entering the country from Austria, although train service between the two countries was restored.
In Germany, the police on Monday carried out checks on trucks and cars entering the country from Austria, although train service between the two countries was restored. Highways leading to Germany from Austria were heavily clogged into Monday morning, as the police rigorously carried out checks. Officers eased up as the day wore on, however, and carried out only spot checks on vehicles entering Germany.
Thousands of migrants striving to reach Germany remain stranded in Austria, Greece and Hungary, trying to move west as the news of the latest border controls filtered among them. Thomas Schweikl, a spokesman for the federal police in the Bavarian town of Freyung, said that 31 people had been arrested on suspicion of smuggling people since controls began late Sunday.
There were severe backups in traffic on main highways leading to Germany from Austria overnight Sunday and into Monday morning, as the police rigorously carried out checks. Officers eased up as the day wore on, however, and carried out spot checks only on vehicles entering Germany.
Thomas Schweikl, a spokesman for the federal police in the Bavarian town of Freyung, said that 31 people had been arrested on suspicion of people smuggling since controls began late Sunday.
Several hundred officers, wearing reflective vests and flagging down trucks and cars as they entered Germany, were carrying out the checks near the border. Officers from across the country arrived overnight to help the Bavarian police, Mr. Schweikl said.Several hundred officers, wearing reflective vests and flagging down trucks and cars as they entered Germany, were carrying out the checks near the border. Officers from across the country arrived overnight to help the Bavarian police, Mr. Schweikl said.
“There is no way we could manage it on our own,” he said.“There is no way we could manage it on our own,” he said.