Protesters, police clash at refugee homes in Germany

The German government said in October 2015 there had been almost 500 attacks on homes intended for asylum seekers in 2015 - three times more than in 2014.

Separately, in a statement on the 9 October 2015 the Bavarian government threatened to go to the German Constitutional Court to compel the federal government to impose a cap on asylum seekers. It was later announced that German chancellor Angela Merkel had reached an agreement with her Bavarian allies to set up 'transit zones' at the border, to identify migrants who are ineligible for asylum.

DW reported on the 12 October 2015 that the refugee crisis had boosted the popularity of the anti-immigration and anti-Islam group PEGIDA, which could be noticed during a big rally on 19 October.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 09.10.15: Big rise in German attacks on migrant homes in 2015 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34487562

ESO: Background information: Berlin pledges 4 billion euros to regional states for refugees http://www.europeansources.info/record/berlin-pledges-4-billion-euros-to-regional-states-for-refugees/

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

Deutsche Welle, 09.10.15: Massive increase in attacks on refugee shelters http://dw.com/p/1GlzI

ESO: Background information: German politicians vow decisive action following Heidenau clashes http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-politicians-vow-decisive-action-following-heidenau-clashes/

The Local.de, 09.10.15: Bavaria threatens Merkel with court over refugees http://www.thelocal.de/20151009/bavarian-leader-ill-turn-refugees-back-at-border

The Guardian, 09.10.15: [Analysis]: Angela Merkel's visit to UK provides escape from troubles at home http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/09/angela-merkels-visit-to-uk-eu-reform

The Guardian, 08.10.15: Refugee crisis: Germany creaks under strain of open door policy http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/08/refugee-crisis-germany-creaks-under-strain-of-open-door-policy

EurActiv, 12.10.15: Merkel denies rumours of new tax to pay for refugees http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/merkel-denies-rumours-new-tax-pay-refugees-318405

Politico, 12.10.15: Germany’s identity crisis http://www.politico.eu/article/german-identity-threat-refugees-migration-merkel/

EurActiv, 13.10.15: Germany will filter refugees in camps at borders http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/germany-will-filter-refugees-camps-borders-318437

Deutsche Welle, 12.10.15: Right-wing PEGIDA rally draws thousands in Dresden, takes aim at Merkel http://dw.com/p/1GmzU

ESO: Background information: PEGIDA defiant amid confusion over German asylum figures http://www.europeansources.info/record/pegida-defiant-amid-confusion-over-german-asylum-figures/

EurActiv, 15.10.15: Merkel continues to take hits from own party on refugee policy http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/merkel-continues-take-hits-own-party-refugee-policy-318559

EurActiv, 20.10.15: Anti-Islam PEGIDA gets boost from refugee crisis http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/anti-islam-pegida-gets-boost-refugee-crisis-318652

Deutsche Welle, 22.10.15: Germany arrests suspected anti-refugee plotters http://dw.com/p/1Gssv

ESO: Background information: Has Merkel’s Power Peaked? http://www.europeansources.info/record/has-merkels-power-peaked/

Deutsche Welle, 07.11.15: Attacks on refugees in Germany double in three months http://dw.com/p/1H1a3

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