World Immigration News

Inside Germany: Ten years later a wave of immigration has left its mark

Release Date: 2025-08-30
Media: The Local Germany
Summary: In 2015, then-Chancellor Angela Merkel famously declared "Wir schaffen das" ("We can do it") in response to the arrival of around 800,000 refugees, mainly from Syria. Ten years later, this decision remains a defining moment in German politics. While Merkel stands by her choice, acknowledging both the challenges and achievements of integrating refugees, the political landscape has shifted significantly.

The far-right AfD party gained momentum by opposing immigration, but more notably, Merkel's own party, the conservative CDU, has moved sharply to the right under current Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The CDU now focuses on border tightening, deportations, and limiting benefits for immigrants—effectively abandoning Merkel's inclusive stance. Some CDU leaders even echo far-right rhetoric, despite data showing that a majority of 2015 refugees are now employed.

The article questions why the CDU has distanced itself so dramatically from Merkel’s approach, especially given her long-term success. It argues that more effort should be made to highlight the valuable social, cultural, and economic contributions of immigrants, which are often overlooked in political discourse. Ultimately, the piece calls for a reevaluation of Germany’s current direction on immigration, warning that ignoring these contributions risks pushing the country further into exclusionary politics.
Tags: Germany