Ten years after We can do it: Germany's divided refugee policy

Ten years after We can do it: Germany's divided refugee policy

Exactly ten years ago, on September 2, 2015, Angela Merkel shaped German refugee policy with her powerful sentence “We can do it.” At that time, Germany was confronted with one of the largest refugee movements since the Second World War. Around 800,000 people stood at the country's borders, looking for security and a better life. However, this initial welcoming culture has changed significantly over the years. n-tv reports that optimism has been replaced by disillusionment.

The political winds have changed since then. According to recent polls, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the most popular party shaping the political agenda, with refugees always at the forefront as a central issue. The CDU and CSU have turned away from Merkel's original course, and isolation now seems to be the new motto of the hour. daily news shows that even the traffic light coalition has introduced border controls and is turning away asylum seekers at the borders.

A change in integration

The changing refugee situation brings not only challenges but also progress. Since 2015, around 64% of refugees have found work, but integration remains a challenge. There are still difficulties, particularly with the recognition of qualifications and childcare. The cost of living has risen and the discussion about access to the labor market for many Ukrainian women who came to Germany last year has now become a hot topic.

Although the overall crime rate has decreased, statistics show that foreigners are increasingly considered suspects. This raises concerns, particularly regarding young men who have experienced violence. Over 20,000 deportations were recorded last year, an increase of 20%. Return incentives and deportations are part of the integration package, which, despite all efforts, faces challenges.

Political reactions and future plans

Merkel herself defends her decision at the time not to close the borders and emphasizes that the lessons from the past will remain important in the future. Meanwhile, Germany and the EU are working on measures to reduce immigration numbers, including payments to countries such as Tunisia and Libya. A further solution is to be sought with the new Common Asylum System (CEAS), which will offer the possibility of carrying out asylum procedures at the EU's external borders from next year.

The political circumstances remain tense. The AfD has transformed from a more moderate party under Bernd Lucke to a more radical movement in which migration and supposed “immigrant Islamization” are dominant issues. While other parties struggle to find a remedy to the AfD's arguments, the gap between the political camps in Germany remains noticeable.

It remains to be seen how migration pressure will develop further. Although the number of asylum applications is falling, the experiences of recent years show that the future will also present new challenges. The sentence “We can do it” resonates and is increasingly becoming a touchstone for the political decisions of tomorrow.