As Germany gears up to host the UEFA Euro 24 football championship this summer, the country announces the implementation of additional border checks across all German borders. Germany’s Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, revealed plans for temporary border controls to prevent potential perpetrators of violence from entering the country during the tournament. These measures will be enforced alongside existing border controls at Germany’s land borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Austria, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to ensuring security during the high-profile sporting event.
The decision to extend border controls comes amidst ongoing concerns about security and migration across Europe. Germany’s existing temporary border controls, initially established and renewed over recent years, are a proactive measure to address various challenges, including heightened security threats and irregular migration activities. The upcoming football championship, expected to attract millions of fans to stadiums across the country, presents a unique security challenge, prompting the extension of border controls until at least the tournament’s conclusion on July 14, 2024.
With the summer season coinciding with the football championship, the possibility remains that Germany may prolong the temporary border controls for several months beyond the tournament’s conclusion. However, the exact duration of the extension remains under consideration by German authorities.
Faeser emphasized the necessity of border checks to safeguard against extremists, hooligans, and other potential threats, including cyber-attacks. He also highlighted the critical role of enhanced security measures during major international events. German states, such as North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), have pledged to bolster their security measures ahead of the tournament, underscoring the collaborative efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment for participants and spectators alike.
Similar levels of vigilance are anticipated across Europe, with France poised to implement comparable measures during its hosting of the Olympics later in the summer. The heightened security measures reflect a collective commitment to mitigating potential risks and ensuring the smooth conduct of international events amidst evolving security challenges.