The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Germany

  • Police record more cases of sexual abuse of children in Germany

    Police record more cases of sexual abuse of children in Germany

    The number of known cases of sexual abuse of children and adolescents in Germany increased in 2023, according to a police report published on Monday.

    However, as the police assume that there are a large number of unreported cases of this type of offence; this alone is not an alarming finding, the report states.

    In 2023, the police were notified of 16,375 cases of children being sexually abused with an increase of 5.5 per cent compared to the previous year.

    In the same period, 1,200 offences were also recorded in which young people were sexually abused.

    The number of cases involving depictions of the sexual abuse of children increased by 7.4 per cent to around 45,000 cases, mainly due to numerous reports from abroad.

    Read Also: Euro 2024: Spain net dramatic winner to dump hosts Germany out

    In the situation report, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) points out that the number of child abuse cases uncovered is closely linked to police monitoring activities and reporting behavior.

    “In this respect, intensified police activities in the area of criminal offences in recent years was likely to have led to an increase in the number of unreported cases,” says the report.

    The BKA also points out that the statistics do not include the numerous cases in which no potential crime scene in Germany can be identified following information, particularly from the United States.

    The reason why such investigations sometimes come to nothing is the minimum retention of telecommunications traffic data especially IP addresses which has been suspended in Germany.

    Images and videos of sexually abused children and young people are shared thousands of times on the internet.

    (dpa/NAN)

  • Euro 2024: Germany ease past Hungary to reach last 16

    Euro 2024: Germany ease past Hungary to reach last 16

    Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan scored as hosts Germany became the first team to qualify for the last 16 of Euro 2024 after beating Hungary 2-0 in Stuttgart.

    Musiala struck for the second game running midway through the first half, much to the anger of Hungary players who felt a foul should have been awarded in the build-up to the goal.

    Gundogan grabbed his side’s second on 67 minutes as Germany eased to a second successive win in Group A, making sure they will progress to the knockout phase at least as one of the best third-placed sides.

    Julian Nagelsmann’s men can wrap up top spot when they play Switzerland in Frankfurt in their final group fixture on Sunday.

    Read Also: Nigeria, Germany partner on $130bn global hydrogen market

    “We want to be first in our group. That’s important because we want to win every game,” said the Germany coach.

     “It’s just amazing to start a tournament like this,” added Gundogan.

    Hungary are staring at elimination after back-to-back defeats and must beat Scotland if they are to stand any chance of reaching the last 16.

     “In my perspective Germany would have won anyways, but the referee was the worst on the pitch,” lamented Hungary coach Marco Rossi.

    Germany unsurprisingly stuck with the same line-up that battered Scotland 5-1 in the first game of the tournament, ending a run of three major finals in which they had lost their opening match.

    Rossi made two changes following Hungary’s disappointing 3-1 loss to Switzerland, bringing Marton Dardai into his three-man defence and starting Bendeguz Bolla at right wing-back.

    A dismal first half left Hungary with too much to do against the Swiss and Rossi admitted beating Germany would require a “perfect match” from his team.

    Hungary almost struck in the opening seconds as Manuel Neuer raced out to take the ball off the toe of Roland Sallai.

    Kai Havertz outmuscled Willi Orban only to be superbly denied by Peter Gulacsi, who thrust out his right hand to deny the Arsenal attacker.

    Robert Andrich’s volley from the resulting corner was bravely headed behind by Bolla, but it wasn’t long until Germany’s persistence was rewarded.

    Musiala cushioned the ball through for Gundogan and the Germany captain kept the attack alive after jostling with Orban, knocking it back for Musiala to slam in off the crossbar with a touch off Attila Fiola.

    Hungary were furious no foul was given for the contact between Gundogan and Orban that knocked the defender to the ground, the goal confirmed after a brief VAR check.

  • Nigeria, Germany Partner on $130bn Global Hydrogen Market

    Nigeria, Germany Partner on $130bn Global Hydrogen Market

    • If nation gets its acts right, Africa will get it right – VP Shettima

    Nigeria is set to partner with Germany to tap into the $130 billion global hydrogen market, Vice President Kashim Shettima announced yesterday.

    The partnership, which aims to develop Nigeria’s green energy sector, is in line with the country’s renewable energy objectives and the global energy transition plan from fossil to green sources.

    According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima spoke yesterday when he received on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, a German delegation led by a member of German Parliament and Hydrogen Commissioner, Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Mr Till Mansmann.

    Underscoring the importance of strong partnership between Nigeria and Germany, the Vice President  said, “We cannot run away from the fact that sooner than later we have to do away with fossil fuels and resort to green energy for a sustainable world and an inclusive economic growth.

    “We appreciate you and there is ample opportunity for us to partner towards the development of the 130 billion-dollars global hydrogen market projected by the World Bank to grow at 9% per annum,” he said.

    On the potentials in hydrogen development, VP Shettima expressed optimism that if Nigeria gets its acts right, the entire African continent will equally get it right.

    Read Also; CBN sacks 200 staff in restructuring move

    He noted: “Hydrogen has the potential of revolutionizing a lot of industries in Nigeria, including fertilizer production. The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is ready to partner with authorities in Germany to drive the process towards developing the hydrogen market in Nigeria and beyond.

     “Partnering to develop the hydrogen market in Nigeria will positively impact the rest of the African continent given its potentials and position. The potentials are here in Nigeria.

    “When Nigeria gets its acts right, Africa will get it right too. You have a partner in Nigeria, in President Tinubu, you have a partner that you can trust. Leadership is about the ability to provide ideas to the problems of a nation,” he added.

     The VP commended Germany for the sacrifice and empathy the European country has shown towards other countries in different areas, noting that “though not endowed with a lot of natural resources, Germany is blessed with the human capital that has made the country a global leader across diverse fields, including technology and devotion to ethics.”

    Earlier, Head of the German Delegation/Member of German Parliament and Hydrogen Commissioner, Mansmann, said collaboration with Nigeria and institutions like the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is crucial for achieving the goals outlined in Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy.

     He said, “Nigeria is a very important partner for the global transformation of energy. If you want to fight climate change, it makes no sense if one country alone goes its own pathway. We need to come together in a lot of cooperations in technology, science and human resources.”

  • Over 4,000 Nigerians schooling in Germany, says envoy

    Over 4,000 Nigerians schooling in Germany, says envoy

    The German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Annett Gunther, has said over 4,000 Nigerians are currently schooling and working in the European country.

    Gunther said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja.

    According to her, the German Academic Exchange Service gives out not less than 1,000 scholarships yearly.

    The envoy said the German Government was working on improving visa approvals for intending Nigerian students in the country.

    “At the moment, we have approximately 4,000 Nigerian students in Germany, coming and going in and out of the country and also engaging in other things.

    “I know we are not yet in a position to issue the visas for the students on time, but we are working on that. We are not interested in preventing people from coming to Germany.

    “We want them to come. So, there is also something to do on our side to improve our capacities on visa issuance,” she said.

    Read Also: Ten things to know about FAAN’s new e-tags for airport access

    Gunther explained that many courses in Germany were taught in English, adding that to survive in the European country, it is imperative to have a certain knowledge of its language.

    The envoy said university studies in Germany are either free or not very expensive, compared to other countries with English as official language.

    She said there was keen interest for students to study in Germany, describing the country’s universities as top class and internationally renowned.

    “That is why the German Academic Exchange Service gives out not less than 1,000 scholarships yearly,” Gunther said.

    The envoy said no fewer than 80,000 Nigerians live and work in Germany and are contributing meaningfully to its economic growth.

    “It is also in our interest because our population is shrinking and we are lacking workforce. We are happy with everybody who comes to support us,” she said.

  • Germany Embassy, firm make case for youth inclusivity in biodiversity

    Germany Embassy, firm make case for youth inclusivity in biodiversity

    The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Abuja, and SustyVibes, a youth-centered sustainability non-profit organisation in Lagos, recently hosted the Bioverse NG National Conference in Abuja as part of the programs to conclude the seven-month-long Bioverse NG project.

    The Bioverse project, funded by the German Embassy in Nigeria, is an initiative aimed at connecting young Nigerians to nature via a double-pronged approach to climate action and biodiversity protection.

    The conference, themed “The Indispensable Role of Youth in Nigeria’s Biodiversity”, allowed Nigerian youths, government, and global stakeholders to discuss Nigeria’s biodiversity challenges.

    Delivering his opening speech, Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Johannes Lehne stated that Nigeria’s diverse biodiversity has come under significant threat over the past few decades.

    According to him, hundreds of animal species and thousands of plant species are currently at risk of extinction, with wild animals losing their habitat as a result of people cutting down almost all the trees in the forest.

    Johannes also noted that educating Nigerian youth on the subject can positively impact the country’s biodiversity.

    In her keynote address, the National Coordinator of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, Mrs. Ibironke Olubamise, who echoed Johannes’ concerns, stated that young people must identify gaps and develop nature-based solutions with economic value.

    Read Also: Ogun, Germany to partner on food production

    On her part, the Founder of SustyVibes, Jennifer Uchendu, stated that the event is quite historic as it provided an opportunity to showcase several months of work on the Bioverse NG project while offering young Nigerians the chance to learn and actively participate in Biodiversity protection and climate advocacy.

    Since August 2023, The Bioverse NG project has impacted over 200,000 youths in the country through its various activities, such as the six-weeks virtual workshop, which provided 367 participants with knowledge on the intersection of biodiversity and climate change, six regional dialogues across Nigeria’s geographical zones fostering youth inclusion and policy engagement.

    The project also included an internship programme where seven top workshop participants were provided internship opportunities at reputable conservations in the country and is also developing a career guide on biodiversity to assist youth in navigating their career path with the biodiversity sector.

  • Nigeria, Germany sign 12,000mw power agreement

    Nigeria, Germany sign 12,000mw power agreement

    • Tinubu, German Chancellor preside at event on COP28 sidelines

    Nigeria and Germany yesterday signed an accelerated performance agreement aimed at expediting the implementation of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) to improve electricity supply in Nigeria.

    The signing ceremony, which was presided over by President Bola Tinubu and the German Chancellor, Mr Olaf Scholz, took place on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

    The agreement was signed by Mr. Kenny Anuwe, the Managing Director and CEO of FGN Power Company, and Ms. Nadja Haakansson, Siemens Energy’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Africa.

    The PPI, formerly known as the Nigeria Electrification Roadmap Initiative, was the outcome of the visit of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Abuja in August, 2018.

    An agreement was signed between the governments of Nigeria and Germany in 2019 to improve the power sector.

    President Bola Tinubu, since assuming office, has consistently advocated the accelerated realization and expansion of the PPI.

    To achieve this, the project has been a major focal point in three rounds of bilateral discussions at several meetings between the President and the German Chancellor, in New Delhi, Abuja and Berlin.

    The agreement signed on Friday, according to a statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, will see to the end-to-end modernization and expansion of Nigeria’s electric power transmission grid with the full supply, delivery and installation of Siemens-manufactured equipment under the time line of 18 to 24 months.

    Read Also: Ondo political crisis and Abuja Accord

    Furthermore, the agreement will ensure project sustainability and maintenance with full technology transfer and training for Nigerian engineers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

    Speaking after the signing ceremony in Dubai, Managing Director of the FGN Power Company, Mr. Kenny Anuwe, highlighted Siemens Energy’s effective delivery of crucial equipment worth over 63 million Euros to the country since the project commenced.

    This includes 10 units of 132/33KV mobile substations; 3 units of 75/100MVA transformers and 7 units of 60/66MVA transformers, currently being installed by FGN Power Company at various sites across Nigeria.

    Anuwe harped on the commitment of President Tinubu to the development of power infrastructure, noting that he had reiterated time and again that infrastructure development is critical to the ongoing reforms.

    He affirmed that electricity and financing are at the heart of the economic reform agenda of the administration, adding that the PPI by design encapsulates both elements with the support of partners, Siemens Energy and the financiers that are backed by the German government.

    Addressing the President, Anuwe noted: “Mr. President, with your strong and dynamic leadership through the Honorable Minister of power, now we seek to exploit or expedite what was already a worthwhile a programme in the presidential power initiative through this accelerated agreement today.

    “Some of the things that have been achieved erstwhile by the federal government have been the establishment of the FGN Power Company as the special purpose vehicle for the implementation of the project.”

    He said the German government has nominated the mandated lead arrangers and financiers, adding that Siemens energy has also successfully delivered 10 units of power transformers and 10 units of mobile substations.

    In his remarks, Chairman of Siemens Energy Supervisory Board, Joe Kaeser, traced the history of the initial agreement to the Muhammadu Buhari administration in 2018, expressing delight that both parties have now been able to drive the process forward.

    He said: “I’m particularly happy to be here tonight to witness the signing of the Presidential Initiative for Power because in 2018 the former President Buhari wanted me to come to Abuja and explain to him what we did in Egypt.

    “And I said Mr. President, Egypt has 80 million (people) and we could use 14 gigawatts and Nigeria has 200 million people. So, we could actually need more gigawatts.

    “Now, after five years, I’m really happy that this agreement that has the spirit of supplying energy to the greater good of Nigerian people has been taken to new level. Thank you very much for doing that.

    “And as we say in Germany, good things take time as we have seen tonight.”

    Speaking on the project, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the target of the PPI is to add 12,000mw of electricity to the national grid.

    He said with the signing on Friday, the process will now proceed apace to ensure constant supply of electricity to Nigerians.

    “Of course, we knew that there were a lot of delays between 2018 and now that we have not really made significant achievement in terms of proceeding with the contract signed in 2018 because of a lot of factors. Some were natural, some human, some were processes.

    “We also had COVID in 2020 which made the execution of the project slow. But now, it shows that we are now ready to move forward with the Siemens projects.

    “It shows a commitment between the government of both countries to proceed with this project, which we believe will go a long way in improving the performance of the power sector in Nigeria.

    “This is an agreement that has to do with end-to-end fixing in terms of grid stabilisation of the entire transmission grid in the Nigerian power sector, which will eventually improve the power supply in terms of regularity, in terms of functionality and in terms of affordability in the years to come.

    “We’re very happy that we’re able to sign this agreement tonight. And in the next couple of months we will witness a lot of activities on the presidential power initiatives project.”

    On the financial implications, he revealed that the project is to be financed under the Government Export Credit Facility that is being provided by a couple of German banks to Nigeria.

    “The original agreement we had was for $2.3 billion, but what we have is up to date, just in region of $60 million, which has to do with the importation of the 10 transformers and the 10 power mobile substations, which Siemens have delivered to the country.

    “They have been commissioned and we are in the process of installation of these transformers. So far, it has cost us $60 million,” he said.

    The project will also focus on identified load demand centres with particular emphasis on economic and industrial hubs nationwide; execution of new 330kV and 132/33KV substations in target load centres with economic priority, in addition to thousands of kilometres of overhead transmission lines to connect new substations with existing ones.

    Among Nigerian officials present at the ceremony were Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo; Power, Adelabu; Environment, Balarabe Lawal; Transportation, Said Alkali; Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Dorris Anite and Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari.

  • Nigeria, Germany sign agreement to accelerate Siemens power project implementation

    Nigeria, Germany sign agreement to accelerate Siemens power project implementation

    Nigeria and Germany have signed an accelerated performance agreement aimed at expediting the implementation of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) to improve electricity supply in Nigeria. 

    The signing ceremony, which was presided over by President Bola Tinubu and the German Chancellor, Mr Olaf Scholz, took place on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

    The agreement was signed by Mr. Kenny Anuwe, the Managing Director and CEO of FGN Power Company, and Ms. Nadja Haakansson, Siemens Energy’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Africa.

    The PPI, formerly known as the Nigeria Electrification Roadmap Initiative, was the outcome of the visit of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Abuja in August, 2018. 

    An agreement was signed between the governments of Nigeria and Germany in 2019 to improve the power sector.

    President Bola Tinubu, since assuming office, has consistently advocated the accelerated realization and expansion of the PPI. To achieve this, the project has been a major focal point in three rounds of bilateral discussions at several meetings between the President and the German Chancellor, in New Delhi, Abuja and Berlin.

    Read Also: Kassim Afegbua: Why I joined Edo 2024 governorship race on APC platform

    The agreement signed on Friday, according to a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, will see to the end-to-end modernization and expansion of Nigeria’s electric power transmission grid with the full supply, delivery and installation of Siemens-manufactured equipment under the time line of 18 to 24 months.

    Furthermore, the agreement will ensure project sustainability and maintenance with full technology transfer and training for Nigerian engineers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

    Speaking after the signing ceremony in Dubai, Managing Director of the FGN Power Company, Mr. Kenny Anuwe highlighted Siemens Energy’s effective delivery of crucial equipment worth over 63 million Euros to the country since the project commenced, this includes 10 units of 132/33KV mobile substations; 3 units of 75/100MVA transformers, and 7 units of 60/66MVA transformers, currently being installed by FGN Power Company at various sites across Nigeria.

    Anue harped on the commitment of President Tinubu to the development of power infrastructure, noting that he had reiterated time and again that infrastructure development is critical to the ongoing reforms. 

    He affirmed that electricity and financing are at the heart of the economic reform agenda of the administration, adding that the PPI by design encapsulates both elements with the support of partners, Siemens Energy and the financiers that are backed by the German government. 

    Addressing the President, Anue noted: “Mr. President, with your strong and dynamic leadership through the Honorable Minister of power, now we seek to exploit or expedite what was already a worthwhile a program in the presidential power initiative through this accelerated agreement today. 

    “Some of the things that have been achieved, erstwhile by the federal government have been the establishment of the FGN Power Company as the special purpose vehicle for the implementation of the project.”

    He said the German government has, nominated the mandated lead arrangers and financiers, adding that Siemens energy has also successfully delivered 10 units of power transformers and 10 units of mobile substations.

    Chairman of Siemens Energy Supervisory Board, Joe Kaeser, traced the history of the initial agreement to the Muhammadu Buhari administration in 2018, expressing delight that both parties have now been able to drive the process forward. 

    He said: “I’m particularly happy to be here tonight to witness the signing of the Presidential Initiative for Power because in 2018 the former President Buhari wanted me to come to Abuja and explain to him what we did in Egypt. 

    “And I said Mr. President, Egypt has 80 million (people) and we could use 14 gigawatts and Nigeria has 200 million people. So, we could actually need more gigawatts. 

    “Now, after five years, I’m really happy that this agreement has the spirit of supplying energy to the greater good of Nigerian people has been taken to new level. Thank you very much for doing that. And as we say in Germany good things take time as we have seen tonight.”

    Speaking on the project, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the target of the PPI is to add 12,000mw of electricity to the national grid. 

    He said with the signing on Friday, the process will now proceed apace to ensure constant supply of electricity to Nigerians. 

  • Germany agrees to consider UK-style plan on processing asylum abroad

    Germany agrees to consider UK-style plan on processing asylum abroad

    People seeking asylum in Germany may be taken to other countries if the proposal scales through, The Nation has learnt.

    German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has pledged to “examine” whether asylum applications could be processed abroad.

    This is a hardened stand of the government’s position on illegal migration, as parties seek to counter electoral gains by the far right.

    The UK was first to have muted the idea with Rwanda, where migrants in Britain may be sent to claim asylum right to remain.

    However, the process is still being contested in the UK courts.

    The idea emerged from the marathon session with regional leaders in Germany in the early hours of Tuesday, November 7.

    Read Also: Reps to Army: neutralise terrorist attack on Borno, Yobe communities

    The agreement already has the buy-in of the leaders of Germany’s 16 states.

    He cautioned: “The federal government will examine whether the protection status of refugees can also be determined in transit or third countries in the future, in compliance with the Geneva Convention on Refugees and the European Convention on Human Rights.”

    “It’s vague and non-committal, as was Chancellor Scholz during the press conference. There are also a whole series of legal questions.”

    There are many practical questions about how such a scheme would be put into effect, but the prospect of processing asylum claims abroad is now being more openly discussed in Germany.

    Neighbouring Austria recently expressed interest in a similar scheme.

    Hendrik Wüst, the Christian Democratic (CDU) premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, warned against dismissing Rwanda-style schemes as “sinister neo-colonialism.”

    He said: “If you do that, we will not meet the challenges of a global migration crisis.”

    Proposals have also emerged from within the ranks of the governing Social Democratic Party (SPD) and Free Democratic Party (FDP).

    They range from reviving the 2016 EU-Turkey deal, which stemmed the influx of migrants into Greece, to setting up new agreements with Senegal, Morocco or Rwanda.

    It is unclear whether successful applicants could then proceed to Germany or would have to stay in the third country in which their claim was processed.

  • Germany-Nigeria trade volume hits €3b in 2022

    Germany-Nigeria trade volume hits €3b in 2022

    The bilateral trade between Germany and Nigeria hit the €3 billion mark in 2022, German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther has said. 

    This is against  €2 billion recorded in 2021. 

    The envoy, who disclosed these at a briefing with Diplomatic Correspondents in Abuja, said Germany remains Nigeria’s second biggest partner behind the United States. 

     Günther said: ” Germany contributed a total trade volume of €3 billion in 2022 (up from €2 billion in 2021) and the European Union is Nigeria’s most important trading partner with total trade volume of €45.8 billion.”

    She also assured that “Germany’s foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Nigeria will prospectively surpass the €1 billion mark.”

    Read Also: ‘Ajaokuta free trade zone to attract FDIs’

    Germany’s main export to Nigeria are machines (28%); food products 20% and chemical products (19%) while Nigeria’s main exports to Germany are crude oil 83%; food products 12% other raw materials 4%.

    She informed not less than 90 German companies operate in Nigeria, creating 17,000 jobs directly and minimum 10-fold indirectly.

    The envoy also noted that all the European Union countries put together have generated around 160,000 jobs in Nigeria. 

    In the area of developmental cooperation, she said Germany has also invested over €600 million in development projects across all sectors of Nigeria economy.

    She said this is beside the €50 million  invested on humanitarian assistance in 2022 alone. 

    She said another €620 million  was pledged to Economic Community of West African States in current projects.

    She said, “Germany has committed a total of 600 million Euros in development cooperation grants in ongoing projects and another 620 million pledged to ECOWAS in current projects.”

    In terms of humanitarian assistance, she said Germany remains the second biggest donor “with €50 million in 2022 on activities such as protection, food security, health and shelter that save lives every day.”

    In the area of energy, Günther said the 2018 Presidential Power Initiative which aimed at improving the energy distribution network in Nigeria has led to the provision of 10 mobile substations and 10 power transformers.

    She also revealed the possibilities of more Siemens  technology and other companies interested in investing in Nigeria that might follow. 

    The envoy said both countries have 22 University cooperations with 4,000 Nigerian Students currently schooling in Germany.

    She further revealed that more than 1000 of the students are on scholarships. 

    She also disclosed that 2000 Nigerians passed the German language examinations at the Goethe Institute in 2022 as part of the countless exchanges between both countries. 

    Other area of support to Nigeria, the envoy said include  training 600 police trainers, refurbishing training colleges and providing mobile barracks in support of the Nigerian Police Reform and Transformation Office (PORTO) within NPF as a hub for reform. 

  • Germany ramps up border controls with Poland, Czech Republic

    Germany ramps up border controls with Poland, Czech Republic

    Germany announced yesterday that it is ramping up its border controls with neighboring Poland and the Czech Republic to “limit human trafficking,” as the country faces fierce debate on its migration policy while asylum applications surge.

    Police will carry out “additional flexible checks and mobile controls along the smuggling routes at the borders with Poland and the Czech Republic,” Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told reporters.

    She added that the measure would be effective immediately, with the support of Polish and Czech authorities.

    “We must absolutely stop the smugglers’ cruel business because they put human lives at risk with maximum profit,” the minister said.

    The announcement came as the interior minister raised the possibility of implementing fixed controls along the borders with its two eastern neighbors this week. Such a measure may only be temporary and exceptional under the Schengen Area’s rules.

    Until now, the southern state of Bavaria on the Austrian border was the only part of Germany with stationary border controls, a legacy of the 2015-2016 migration crisis when Europe’s leading economy took in over a million refugees.

    Immigration has once again become a hot topic in German politics in recent weeks. There is less than two weeks until regional elections in traditionally conservative stronghold Bavaria and central state Hesse, which may put Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left coalition to the test.

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    Earlier this month, the country’s Interior Ministry said it would postpone “until further notice” its intake of migrants coming via Italy, under a European voluntary solidarity plan.

    Berlin argues it has made the largest contribution and blames Rome’s decision to withdraw from its obligations to take back asylum seekers rejected in other countries.

    During remarks on Wednesday, Faeser, who is running as the candidate for Scholz’s Social Democratic Party in Hesse, called on countries on Europe’s borders – including Italy – to “better protect” those borders and “apply the procedures” laid down by Brussels.

    “We are fighting to keep internal border controls open within the European Union. But we need this European solution,” she said. “Otherwise, Schengen is in danger,” she added.

    Meanwhile, the German Federal Police counted 70,753 illegal entries into the country in the same period, a nearly 60 percent increase from last year’s data.

    Many local governments and municipalities say they have been overwhelmed by the influx, forcing Berlin’s center-left coalition government to react.

      “Municipalities must not be left to bear the costs, which would be fatal,” Alexander Handschuh, spokesperson for the German Association of Towns and Municipalities, told CNN Wednesday.