Kathmandu— Germany’s largest opposition party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), has called for the country to leave the Schengen Area in response to the recent influx of over 72,000 migrants into the Spanish city of Ceuta in late July. AfD co-chair Alice Weidel argued that the EU's borderless travel system poses a threat to Germany due to inadequately protected external borders and has advocated for preventative measures including closing German borders. The call comes amid broader European tensions over migration policy, with some leaders questioning Spain’s Schengen membership and Italy implementing temporary border checks.

Ceuta Influx Sparks Debate

The Spanish enclave of Ceuta experienced a massive surge in illegal immigration in late July, with approximately 72,000 people entering within hours. This led to overcrowding, sanitation issues, and reported outbreaks of disease within the city. Local authorities also reported at least fifteen cases of rape connected to the influx, while estimating that around 10,000 migrants remained in Ceuta as of last week.

AfD’s Stance on Schengen

Alice Weidel stated, “When I see something like what’s happening in Ceuta, then [I say] we’re leaving Schengen.” She believes that Germany must proactively close its borders because the EU is failing to secure its external boundaries. According to Weidel, the Schengen system requires both secure external and open internal borders to function effectively, neither of which she claims are currently being met. She criticized the performance of Frontex, readmission agreements, and overall border arrangements within the EU.

Political Context and Future Prospects

The AfD currently holds over 23% of seats in the German Bundestag, making it the largest opposition faction. However, its ability to influence legislation is limited by a “firewall” policy where other major parties refuse to cooperate with them. Weidel expressed confidence that this could change after the next parliamentary elections in 2029, which she believes the AfD may win.

Broader European Response

The Ceuta crisis has prompted reactions across Europe. Several leaders have suggested excluding Spain from the Schengen zone, and Italy introduced temporary border checks on travelers arriving from Spain, prompting reciprocal measures from Madrid. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson linked the surge in migrants to Spain’s decision to grant amnesty to undocumented migrants who arrived before January 1, 2026, arguing it incentivizes further migration.

Germany has already increased border checks and migrant turn-aways as it attempts to curb illegal immigration. The future of Schengen remains uncertain as European nations grapple with differing approaches to managing migration flows.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.