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[Miles Quaritch]

This deserves its own thread as I feel it might have wider implications with regard to free an open travel through Europe going forward...

Spiegel is reporting czech republic is closing austrian border aswell.

Germany is to reintroduce border controls and will exit temporarily from the Schengen system, the interior minister has said, after the country’s regions said they could no longer cope with the overwhelming number of refugees arriving from Austria.

Thomas de Maizière announced the measures after German officials said that record numbers of refugees, most of them from Syria, had stretched the system to breaking point.

Germany has also stopped all trains entering the country across its southern border with Austria, the principal conduit through which some 450,000 of refugees have arrived in Germany this year.

The emergency measures are designed to give some respite to Germany’s federal states who are responsible for looking after refugees. There is also discussion inside the government about sending troops to the border with Austria, to reinforce security, Der Spiegel reports.

The move comes amid extraordinary scenes at Munich’s main train station over the weekend and a growing backlash inside Germany over the decision last week by the chancellor, Angela Merkel, to allow unregistered refugees to enter the country.

On Saturday, 13,015 refugees arrived at the station on trains from Austria. Another 1,400 came on Sunday morning. The city’s mayor, Dieter Reiter, said Munich was “full”, with its capacities completely exhausted. Some refugees slept on the station concourse on Saturday night.

Germany’s surprise move comes amid bitter division inside the EU over how to deal with the tens of thousands of refugees arriving in Europe, in the continent’s worst refugee crisis for 70 years. On Sunday, east European countries again insisted they would not accept a plan for mandatory refugee quotas.

Interior ministers from the EU’s 28 states are meeting in Brussels on Monday. They will discuss a plan set out last week by Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission chief, to redistribute 160,000 asylum seekers across the bloc. The refugees would be allocated to each country on the basis of its size and wealth.

Germany, Austria and France support the proposal. But they face opposition from other EU states including Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland. On Sunday, the Czech prime minister, Bohuslav Sobotka, said: “I think it is impossible to retreat. Our position is firm.”

Greek authorities, meanwhile, say 28 people have drowned, half of them children, after their wooden smuggling boat capsized in the Aegean sea. The incident happened before dawn on Sunday off the Greek island of Farmakonisi. The Greek coastguard pulled 68 people out of the water. Another 30 managed to swim to land.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/20...lose-borders-exit-schengen-emergency-measures

Lots more at the link.

So it was bound to happen, but does this single the beginning of the end for free travel through Europe? I can see more and more countries wanting to reinstate their national borders as this crisis isn't something that's just going to go away any time soon.

Fun while it lasted I guess...

 

[samn]

The UK isn't in Schengen yet we have no limits on EU citizens entering.

 

[maniac-kun]

Well they realized a lot of things where going on. People with fake or stolen passports or no passport at all. And letting everyone in without checking who they are invites people with bad intentions.

 

[ClosingADoor]

Please keep in mind this is only for Austria, and not borders with France, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, etc.

I really doubt any end to free travel is coming within the EU. It would be unworkable.

 

[maniac-kun]

Please keep in mind this is only for Austria, and not borders with France, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, etc.

I really doubt any end to free travel is coming within the EU. It would be unworkable.

The Spiegel online article says they focus on Austria first. The rest follows later apparently.

http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deuts...ere-verkuendet-grenzkontrollen-a-1052724.html

 

[TCRS]

On Saturday, 13,015 refugees arrived at the station on trains from Austria. Another 1,400 came on Sunday morning.

jeez, that's basically my whole town arriving at one train station within a few hours. no wonder they can't deal with it.

 

[ClosingADoor]

The Spiegel online article say they focus on Austria first. The rest follows later apparently.

http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deuts...ere-verkuendet-grenzkontrollen-a-1052724.html

I really, really doubt that they are planning on closing borders with most of their neighbors. Maybe if they see more people coming in through Czech Republic or something they'll switch focus to there, but there is no reason to close any borders with other countries.

 

[DrM]

And Austria is seriously considering this on their southern and eastern border

 

[Condom]

Man those eastern european countries are useless beyond being a source of cheap labour and a buffer between Russia.

They don't get the European mentality at all and are not fit to stay members if you ask me.

 

[El Topo]

Absolutely disgusting.

 

[ClosingADoor]

Man those eastern european countries are useless beyond being a source of cheap labour and a buffer between Russia.

They don't get the European mentality at all and are not fit to stay members if you ask me.

Very strange thing to say. So you would be in favor of kicking out Denmark, the UK and more also based on this?

 

[justjohn]

Some fucking sense at last.

 

[Mrmartel]

This will have a domino affect. If Germany stops taking in Refugees after they hypocritically opened the doors and welcome everybody, it means that those already in transit to Germany that are currently in Austria, Italy, Greece and Hungary are forced to set up camp where they are. But those countries (aside from Austria) that don't have the cash or means to take care of the ten thousands already in Europe nevermind the possibly hundreds of thousands that are coming. Or they'll need to find alternative route to the other naïve open door state of Sweden. Good luck with that though. That route is through Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, the Baltics and Finland where they most certainly will be blocked off from and have a very icy welcoming party.

So if this more than a temporary border closure, in essence Germany is forcing the issue onto other Euro members, which in turn can make the local populations overwhelmed and furious. I can't imagine what this could possibly do to the EU and it's open borders policy.

This could be the issue that makes the whole EU fall apart. If the migrants continue at this current rate.

*Just read that Germany is closing borders with Austria only so far. But It seems like border closures are very likely in the next few months. Depending on the numbers coming.

 

[Kysen]

Who didn't see this coming? Also its too late.

 

[Xando]

Spiegel is reporting czech republic is closing austrian border aswell.

 

[FeelTheKick]

Man those eastern european countries are useless beyond being a source of cheap labour and a buffer between Russia.

They don't get the European mentality at all and are not fit to stay members if you ask me.

What's a 'European mentality" ?

 

[MonorailCat]

Finally. Let's see how refugee friendly Austria will be when they can't just put them on trains to Germany.
Maybe they will start doing their job and protect their boarders too.

Spiegel is reporting czech republic is closing austrian border aswell.

Not surprising in the least. Austria has been by far the worst country of all in this desaster. Spouting "pro-refugee" lies every day .. but all they ever did was to send them on their way to other countries in the EU, breaking several EU laws in the process.
Bringing refugees in from Hungary with Busses jsut to put them on trains to Germany. It's ridiculous.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Absolutely disgusting.

Why?

 

[Marauder Shields]

Awww I thought Germany said they were gonna welcome all the refugees. I guess reality can be a bitch.

 

[TheLostBigBoss]

Absolutely disgusting.

Germany has been the sole country dealing with the mass immigration crisis.

Every country has a right to control their own borders and for a country taking in 800K+ refugees I think it's horribly unfair to judge them for trying to control their border and get a hold on the situation and deal with the people they currently have now.

The EU needs to share the load and ramp up their refugee policy.

 

[Henrar]

Absolutely disgusting.

No only they have a right to do so, but also they've taken way more refugees/immigrants that their economy and society can cope with. This is a safety measure.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

Spiegel is reporting czech republic is closing austrian border aswell.

Added to the OP.

Domino's are falling...

 

[TCRS]

people who had booked tickets for the ICE (inter city express, the fastest train in germany) were told they can't use them and have to take other trains. they used the ICEs to move refugees to berlin and other cities. smh

 

[Mrmartel]

Man those eastern european countries are useless beyond being a source of cheap labour and a buffer between Russia.

They don't get the European mentality at all and are not fit to stay members if you ask me.

What is the consensus European mentality exactly. Do you have some facts to based that on?

As far the polls I've seen the consensus in Italy, Denmark, Greece, Spain, France, the Netherlands are against this mass immigration. You wanna kick them out too?

I'll await polls in Germany, Sweden and Austria in the coming weeks. But if those three countries represent Europe to you, well your in a very small corner of opinion indeed.

 

[Gintamen]

Absolutely disgusting.

That they realized that such amount of refugees can't be handled anymore?

You can always invite some to live at your place, you can handle one or two right?

 

[Pennywise]

No only they have a right to do so, but also they've taken way more refugees/immigrants that their economy and society can cope with. This is a safety measure.

Nope.
It's just the sheer number they can't handle at the moment in Munich, as other borders are still open.

They just have no alternatives ready at the moment, they planned to create a new area in Lower Saxony, where people should have been directly been driving to from Austria, in order to cope with the problems Munich has.
This solution just isn't ready yet, therefore they've got no proper plan B and they go that route.

 

[TCRS]

I'll await polls in Germany, Sweden and Austria in the coming weeks. But if those three countries that represent Europe to you, well your in a very small corner of opinion indeed.

polls in Germany are already overwhelmingly against more refugees. you can't bloody take in a small town every couple of days.

 

[sphinx]

oh my god.... wow, this is huge

 

[Escalario]

The rest of EU should close their borders to germans. But, of course, they don't have the balls to go against Herr Merkel.

 

[MonorailCat]

polls in Germany are already overwhelmingly against more refugees. you can't bloody take in a small town every couple of days.

Especially when winter is coming and tents aren't an option anymore.
There is just no more room.

 

[shaki123]

Should have been done a long time ago. There are too many luckseekers or economical refugees among them. If they go ashore in Italy or Greece they should stay there because it is safe. It's no less safe there than in Holland or Germany. Real (war) refugees should be relocated to countries like Saudi Arabia or similar countries. Economical refugees should stay where they come from. Enough is enough.

 

[eot]

The rest of EU should close their borders to germans. But, of course, they don't have the balls to go against Herr Merkel.

Rofl, maybe they should accept some immigrants instead.

 

[Forsete]

Good.

Especially when winter is coming and tents aren't an option anymore.
There is just no more room.

Someone will bring up the population density.

 

[leatherhat]

Rofl, maybe they should accept some immigrants instead.

Almost every country in Europe has accepted mass amount of immigration in the past decade.

 

[Escalario]

Rofl, maybe they should accept some immigrants instead.

Why should they when Germany isn't?

 

[ClosingADoor]

The rest of EU should close their borders to germans. But, of course, they don't have the balls to go against Herr Merkel.

What are you even talking about? That rest of the EU that is against taking in any amount of immigrants themselves and thus letting Germany take the hit?

Why should they when Germany isn't?

Please educate yourself and look at the numbers. Germany has taken in over 400.000 already this year. Way more then any other country. No wonder Germany is thinking "Why should we, when they aren't?" Well, except Sweden I guess.

 

[Jenenser]

well, its starting...

The rest of EU should close their borders to germans. But, of course, they don't have the balls to go against Herr Merkel.

LOL. must be an easy world you live in.

 

[Mrmartel]

polls in Germany are already overwhelmingly against more refugees. you can't bloody take in a small town every couple of days.

Well then it highlights the poster I quoted, is talking out of his ass, needs to shut off the Liberal News media and actually pay attention to what the overall European people's opinions are. Whenever and wherever they can be heard. I've never been more certain on a issue that (most) polticians and elites (in the media and academia) are talking only to themselves. It's utterly shameful.

 

[Henrar]

Almost every country in Europe has accepted mass amount of immigration in the past decade.

But now they don't want to take a recent wave of immigrants in.

 

[Uzzy]

There's a good Der Spiegel article that goes into some depth about how overwhelmed the system is in Germany. It's not a pretty picture.

 

[Escalario]

What are you even talking about? That rest of the EU that is against taking in any amount of immigrants themselves and thus letting Germany take the hit?


Please educate yourself and look at the numbers. Germany has taken in over 400.000 already this year. Way more then any other country.

So now "few eastern european countries" equals to "the rest of EU". Hillarious. Southern EU countries (mainly Spain, Italy and Greece) have much more refugees than Germany would ever have.

 

[ClosingADoor]

So now "few eastern european countries" equals to "the rest of EU". Hillarious. Southern EU countries (mainly Spain, Italy and Greece) have much more refugees then Germany would ever have.

That is because Italy and Greece are border countries. People arrive there. Let's not kid ourselves and pretend the Greeks and Italians like that one bit.

Now look up the numbers countries like Denmark, Netherlands, England want to take in. It's a whole lot less then Germany.

 

[justjohn]

I always thought the whole point of a refugee is to go the nearest safe country. When people go out of their way to enter a certain country bypassing other safe countries then for me they're not refugees but migrants.

 

[chrislowe]

Having open borders, and not checking ID etc, isnt that open for terrorists to travel around?.

 

[Dictator93]

Almost every country in Europe has accepted mass amount of immigration in the past decade.

Do you have demographic data to support that?

 

[Vlodril]

The EU mentality is we half ass everything for anyone asking.

 

[Escalario]

That is because Italy and Greece are border countries. People arrive there. Let's not kid ourselves and pretend the Greeks and Italians like that one bit.

Now look up the numbers countries like Denmark, Netherlands, England want to take in. It's a whole lot less then Germany.

So you want equality for everyone, and yet you're OK with Germany not taking any more refugees because Merkel wants so.

Having open borders, and not checking ID etc, isnt that open for terrorists to travel around?.

Yep. Schengen was a shitty idea from the start.

 

[PdotMichael]

Having open borders, and not checking ID etc, isnt that open for terrorists to travel around?.

Yes, the amount of terrorist attacks within Europe is overwhelming because of exactly that. /s

 

[Seductivpancakes]

I always thought the whole point of a refugee is to go the nearest safe country. When people go out of their way to enter a certain country bypassing other safe countries then for me they're not refugees but migrants.

Refugee: a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

I don't think there's a specific distance or location they have to travel to count as refugee status.

 

[El Topo]

Germany has been the sole country dealing with the mass immigration crisis.

Germany has ignored the refugee and immigration situation for decades, leaving e.g. the southern European countries mostly to themselves. There's articles from more than ten years ago about the enormous problems of European refugee policy, you can find articles (even in German) from 2004 about this.

Every country has a right to control their own borders and for a country taking in 800K+ refugees I think it's horribly unfair to judge them for trying to control their border and get a hold on the situation and deal with the people they currently have now.

This is not about actually dealing with the situation, this is in part a (laughable) move for the German government to show to their own people that they are working hard on the matter, as well as a move to try and push the problem back to other countries.

The EU needs to share the load and ramp up their refugee policy.

Most (Northern) European countries are not interested in a fair and honest agreement. They're interested in unloading the problem onto other countries. Europe and Germany are reaping the result of misguided policies, both internally (integration policy) and externally (foreign aid, foreign policy, migration policy).

The EU mentality is we half ass everything for anyone asking.

No, the EU mentality is that if a problem only affects a few "less important" members it's best to ignore the problem and hope it goes away, instead of working on an actual, lasting solution.