Why is Germany imposing more restrictions on its borders?

German authorities are shifting their stance on immigration amid far-right gains and coming elections.

Germany’s centre-left government has decided to impose temporary land border restrictions aimed at controlling irregular migration in the wake of a knife attack and electoral gains made by a far-right party.

The new curbs, announced by the government on Monday, come days after the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) won elections to the eastern state of Thuringia and came a close second in the neighbouring state of Saxony. Those elections were held in the shadow of a knife attack, allegedly carried out by a Syrian asylum seeker, that killed three people in the western city of Solingen.

Here’s more on the latest measures adopted by the country – the European Union’s largest economy – and the context behind the decision:

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced on Monday that the controls will start on September 16 and initially last for six months with the option of being renewed.

Temporary controls are to be imposed at land borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark.