German police conduct random checks at border with Austria, soon to be introduced at all land frontiers in Kiefersfelden, Germany, on 10 September 2024.; Credit: REUTERS/Ayhan Uyanik

BERLIN (Reuters) - The head of Germany's Federal Police Union questioned the feasibility of the government's new border control plans, citing issues with staffing and preparation two days before their start on Monday 16 September 2024.

"The Federal Police are still in the process of gathering personnel until Monday morning," Andreas Rosskopf was quoted as saying by the RND media group on Saturday.

The new border controls, effective for six months within the Schengen zone, are part of Berlin's response to rising migration concerns amid a surge in far-right sentiments and recent violent incidents involving asylum seekers, which have intensified the debate over Germany's migration policies.

"This is not fully worked out yet and is partly due to the fact that the minister's announcement came as a surprise," Rosskopf said.