Original article (in Montenegrin) was published on 07/10/2024; Author: Nina Đuranović
Recent numerous changes to travel regulations for visitors to European Union (EU) member states have caused confusion for many.
Reports from regional portals such as Blic, Sandzaklive.rs, Prelistaj.rs (archived here, here, and here) claim that Germany is closing its borders, adding to the confusion.
Blic reports, “Europe is turning into a fortress: New rules begin in Germany tomorrow, borders will be closed: Four more countries are introducing restrictions, and a state of emergency is being mentioned.”
This information was also shared on Facebook by various users of the social network (1, 2, 3)
Although the article’s title claims that Germany is “closing the borders,” no such statement is found within the article’s content.
In early September, Germany’s Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the temporary reintroduction of border controls on its land borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark, which was set to last six months.
Stricter border controls were introduced starting on September 16.
A statement on the official website of Germany’s Ministry of Internal Affairs clarified that these measures were intended to curb irregular migration into the country.
“This means that border checks will be possible at all of Germany’s land borders starting on that date. The complete package of stationary and mobile border policing measures, including the possibility to refuse entry at the border, will be applied at all of Germany’s land borders as allowed by EU and national law. The grounds for ordering temporary border control are the need to limit irregular migration further and to protect Germany’s internal security,” the ministry’s website states.
Therefore, while there is indeed more rigorous control at the German border, including the potential denial of entry, this does not mean that the borders are closed.
The crucial detail is that Germany’s borders remain open, and it is still possible to enter the country.
Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser explained these measures:
“We are taking specific actions to strengthen our internal security and are adopting a firm stance against irregular migration. This remains our approach until we achieve robust protection of the European Union’s external borders through the new Common European Asylum System. In the meantime, we must reinforce controls at our national borders. The federal police now have the authority to employ a full set of stationary and mobile border police measures across Germany’s entire border.”
Since 2015, Germany has welcomed many migrants from the Middle East. However, the country now faces growing political opposition, with rising support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party, which promotes anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Following a knife attack by an Afghan immigrant on police officers in June, when one officer was killed, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that Germany would begin deporting criminal offenders from Afghanistan and Syria.
The temporary reinstatement of border control is a measure designed to limit illegal migration into Germany and will be in effect for the next six months. Although some individuals may be denied entry, this does not equate to a complete border closure.
Due to these facts, the posts circulating are rated as clickbait and disinformation.
The “Clickbait” rating is given to a media report whose title has no grounds in the article that follows. Such articles and features aim to attract the attention of the consumer with a sensational title, promising content that does not actually exist. Such reports are mostly motivated by financial interest, i.e. to increase readership.
The “Disinformation” rating is given to a media report that contains a “mix “of facts and incorrect or half-true content. In such cases, the media may not necessarily be aware of incorrect information
being published alongside the true ones. Also, this grade will be given to media reports with false
attributions or titles that do not reflect the text in terms of information accuracy.
