"Today, we have again ordered temporary controls at all German borders for six months and notified the European Commission," Scholz said ahead of February 23rd elections in which immigration is a major theme.
Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) have come under heavy pressure on the issue after a spate of recent deadly attacks blamed on migrants and asylum seekers.
READ ALSO:Â What are Germany's political parties' plans on immigration and citizenship?
The SPD are on course for their worst-ever election result of around 16 percent according to current polling, while the centre-right CDU/CSU -- who have promised a crackdown on irregular migrants -- are leading on around 30 percent.
Scholz said that Wednesday's announcement showed his intention to "remain resolute in the fight against irregular migration".
He said that to date, the checks had resulted in "47,000 people being turned back at the border".
READ ALSO:Â How Germany's increased border checks will affect travel from neighbouring countries
He also cited figures showing asylum applications had fallen by a third last year from 2023 and that 1,900 people smugglers had been arrested.
Comments