Chancellor Merkel Summer Statement, 28 July 2016

German Chancellor Angela Merkel interrupted her holidays and gave an unscheduled press conference on the 28 July 2016, facing questions on her refugee policies and the recent violent attacks in Germany, some of which were seen as having a terrorist connection.

Chancellor Angela Merkel saw Germany and Europe facing a serious test in the face of terrorism. Everything would be done, she said, to get to the bottom of these barbaric crimes. In response to the most recent attacks she presented a nine-point plan for greater security.

The Chancellor reaffirmed that Germany was a strong country that would accept this challenge, while remaining true to its principles: individuals suffering political persecution would continue to be granted asylum, and people fleeing war would be given protection under the terms of the Refugee Convention.

• Primary Source

Deutsche Welle, 28.07.16: Measured response to tone and content of Merkel's 'we can do this' press statement http://dw.com/p/1JXUW

ESO: Background information: Do refugees pose a terrorist threat? http://www.europeansources.info/record/do-refugees-pose-a-terrorist-threat/

Politico, 28.07.16: Angela Merkel stands firm on refugee policy in the face of terrorism http://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-defends-refugee-policy-in-wake-of-terror-attacks/

EurActiv, 28.07.16: Merkel defends refugee policy, vows action on ‘darknet’ after terror attacks http://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/merkel-defends-refugee-policy-vows-action-on-darknet-after-terror-attacks/

The Local.de, 28.07.16: How Merkel reacts to crises better than other leaders http://www.thelocal.de/20160728/how-merkel-reacts-to-crises-better-than-other-leaders

Deutsche Welle, 28.07.16: Merkel stands firm: 'we can still do this' http://dw.com/p/1JXKo

Euronews, 28.07.16: Angela Merkel stands by refugee policy after attacks in Germany http://www.euronews.com/2016/07/28/angela-merkel-stands-by-refugee-policy-after-attacks-in-germany-update

BBC News, 28.07.16: Merkel rules out migrant policy reversal after attacks http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36912141

Deutsche Welle, 28.07.16: Merkel: attacks by asylum seekers 'mock' Germany http://dw.com/p/1JX8c

Deutsche Welle, 28.07.16: [Opinion] Mrs. Merkel - more feeling, please! http://dw.com/p/1JXQo

EUObserver, 28.07.16: Merkel: Attacks won't change refugee policy https://euobserver.com/migration/134521

Foreign Policy, 28.07.16: Merkel: Recent Attacks Do Not Make Me Regret Accepting Refugees https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/07/28/merkel-recent-attacks-do-not-make-me-regret-accepting-refugees/

The New York Times, 28.07.16: Angela Merkel Sticks With Her Plan to Integrate Migrants http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/29/world/europe/merkel-migrants-germany.html

The Wall Street Journal, 28.07.16: German Chancellor Angela Merkel Stands Firm on Migrant Policy After Terrorist Attacks http://www.wsj.com/articles/bavarian-leaders-plan-more-security-tougher-measures-on-asylum-seekers-1469699655

The Local.de, 28.07.16: After rampages, Merkel says again: Wir schaffen das http://www.thelocal.de/20160728/merkel-says-again-wir-schaffen-das

The Guardian, 28.07.16: Angela Merkel defends Germany's refugee policy after attacks https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/28/merkel-rejects-calls-to-change-germanys-refugee-policy-after-attacks

ESO: Background information: Merkel's Humane Refugee Policies Have Failed / Merkel defends her refugee policy / Merkel's approval ratings improve / For Merkel, No Turning Back http://www.europeansources.info/record/opinion-merkels-humane-refugee-policies-have-failed-merkel-defends-her-refugee-policy-merkels-approval-ratings-improve-for-merkel-no-turning-back/

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

Euro|Topics: Debates, July 2016: Does Merkel have a plan against terror? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/163462/does-merkel-have-a-plan-against-terror

ECFR: Podcast, 25.07.16: ECFR’s World in 30 Minutes: Terror in Germany and the refugee crisis http://www.ecfr.eu/podcasts/episode/ecfrs_world_in_30_minutes_german_security

The Conversation, 16.08.16: Has Angela Merkel made German integration issues worse by letting in a million refugees? https://theconversation.com/has-angela-merkel-made-german-integration-issues-worse-by-letting-in-a-million-refugees-63564

Politico, 18.08.16: Angela Merkel: No link between refugee influx and terrorism http://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-no-link-between-refugee-influx-and-terrorism-isil-islam/

Politico, 19.08.16: The phrase that haunts Angela Merkel http://www.politico.eu/article/the-phrase-that-haunts-angela-merkel/

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