Austria considering temporary suspension of Schengen

4,700 foreigners stopped by Austrian authorities at its borders this year

19 September 2014, 12:58pm

Austria's Minister for Interior Johanna Mikl-Leitner

Austria is considering and discussing the temporary suspension of Schengen and the reintroduction of border controls along its borders with Italy as a result of the “spike” in refugee numbers crossing over.

Austrian authorities have stopped 4,700 foreigners from entering Austria. According to ANSA, almost all of them had their request for asylum rejected by Italy. Only 300 applied for political asylum in Austria.

The Austrian Minister for Interior Johanna Mikl-Leitner and other governors did not exclude the reintroduction of border controls.