Kontroly na vnitřních hranicích jako výzva schengenského prostoru

The thesis examines the phenomenon of the long-term reintroduction of internal border controls within the Schengen Area. Using the case of Germany from 2021 to 2025, the thesis explores how Germany discursively justifies the long-term reintroduction of internal border controls and what role the European Commission plays in this process. The thesis draws on the concept of defensive integration and analyses German practices through content analysis of notifications sent to the European Commission, political and media statements by German government officials, and official European Union documents. The results show that Germany justifies internal controls primarily with reference to irregular migration, migrant smuggling, and citizen security. At the same time, however, Germany frames the controls as temporary, compatible with Schengen rules, and not undermining its commitment to European integration. The thesis also examines the role of the European Commission and concludes that the normalization of internal border controls is not only the result of member states’ practice but also of their interaction with the European Commission.