Germany Declares ‘National State of Emergency’ Over Migration Crisis

The new German Chancellor is reportedly planning to declare a ‘national state of emergency’ in order to implement permanent border checks. According to the newspaper WELT, this decision will involve informing neighboring country ambassadors and activating Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. This move aims to suspend the Dublin Regulation and enforce strict, permanent border controls, including the on-site rejection of asylum seekers. The exact timing of the implementation remains unclear. Newly appointed Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has already ordered the rejection of asylum seekers at Germany’s borders, reversing a 2015 policy that allowed entry to migrants from safe third countries who applied for asylum. Friedrich Merz had repeatedly stated during his election campaign that migration would be a top priority and promised immediate action. Legally possible due to migrants crossing at least one neighboring country, these rejections could lead to changes in European legislation or the declaration of a national emergency if necessary.