Opinion: Merkel’s Humane Refugee Policies Have Failed / Merkel defends her refugee policy / Merkel’s approval ratings improve / For Merkel, No Turning Back

In September 2015, Chancellor Angela Merkel opened Germany's borders to hundreds of thousands of refugees, mostly from Syria. Her calculation that the rest of Europe would support her backfired. In February 2016 she now found herself isolated at home and abroad as conditions worsen for asylum-seekers.

However the German Chancellor continued to defend her position. On German tv on the 28 February 2016 she said that 'The right thing is for Europe to stick together, and to show compassion'. She said cooperation with Turkey and a pan-European solution remained the cornerstones of her policy. Commentators wondered whether she could stick to her course?

ESO: Background information: EU pleads with Turkey to accept refugees fleeing Aleppo offensive http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-pleads-with-turkey-to-accept-refugees-fleeing-aleppo-offensive/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

ESO: Background information: German coalition approves tighter asylum rules http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-coalition-approves-tighter-asylum-rules/

ESO: Background information: Austrian restrictions trigger domino effect across Balkan refugee route http://www.europeansources.info/record/austrian-restrictions-trigger-domino-effect-across-balkan-refugee-route/

ESO: Background information: German officials shocked by 'disgusting' anti-refugee mobs http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-officials-shocked-by-disgusting-anti-refugee-mobs/

ESO: Background information: The Breaking Point? Germany's Asylum System Struggles to Cope http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-breaking-point-germanys-asylum-system-struggles-to-cope/

ECFR: Commentary: Note from Berlin, 26.02.16: Angela Merkel’s Plan B? http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_angela_merkels_plan_b6014

ESO: Background information: Angela Merkel faces a delicate balancing act on migration ahead of key state elections http://www.europeansources.info/record/angela-merkel-faces-a-delicate-balancing-act-on-migration-ahead-of-key-state-elections/

Euro|Topics: Debates, March 2016: Merkel defends her refugee policy http://www.eurotopics.net/en/154801/merkel-defends-her-refugee-policy

Deutsche Welle, 29.02.16: [Opinion]: With no Plan B, Merkel remains steadfast on refugee policy http://dw.com/p/1I4MT

Deutsche Welle, 01.03.16: Merkel's approval ratings improve http://dw.com/p/1I4bX

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 29.02.16: For Merkel, No Turning Back http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=62905

Politico, 04.03.16: Merkologists explain Merkel http://www.politico.eu/article/merkologists-explain-merkel-chancellor-germany-elections/

Spiegel Online International, 11.03.16: Alone in Berlin: How Merkel Has Gambled Away Her EU Power http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/refugee-crisis-policies-have-merkel-on-defensive-in-europe-a-1081820.html

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 10.03.16: Merkel’s Values, Merkel’s Realpolitik http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=63001

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