Under-fire Merkel defends migration policy

German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended yet again in August 2016 the policy implemented on national and European levels regarding the migration crisis.

Ms Merkel stood by Germany's open-door policy towards asylum seekers and urged EU member states which had refused to accept refugees to change their minds.

The chief of the Federal Office for Migrants and Refugees (BAMF) stated that Germany's healthy economy and improvements to refugee services meant the country was well-placed to absorb new arrivals, particularly as their numbers had dropped off.

In the meantime, German radio NDR reported that many refugees in the country were in illegal employment, adding to poor working conditions a salary of just €1/hour.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on the 17 September 2016 that she would not use the phrase, 'We can do it' (wir schaffen das) again since it had become just another phrase, which irritated some while its intention had been to inspire.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Germany marks steep drop in migrant arrivals http://www.europeansources.info/record/germany-marks-steep-drop-in-migrant-arrivals/

ESO: Background information: Two Weeks in September 2015: The Makings of Merkel's Decision to Accept Refugees http://www.europeansources.info/record/two-weeks-in-september-2015-the-makings-of-merkels-decision-to-accept-refugees/

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

EurActiv, 29.08.16: Germany can accomodate 300,000 asylum seekers this year http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/germany-can-accomodate-300000-asylum-seekers-this-year/

EurActiv, 30.08.16: German women more anti-Muslim than men http://www.euractiv.com/section/social-europe-jobs/interview/german-women-more-anti-muslim-than-men/

Euronews, 28.08.16: Germany could see 300,000 more refugees this year, says migration boss http://www.euronews.com/2016/08/28/germany-could-see-300000-more-refugees-this-year-says-migration-boss

BBC News, 28.08.16: Europe migrant crisis: Germany expects 'up to 300,000' this year http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37207800

Deutsche Welle, 28.08.16: Chancellor Merkel expresses confidence over migrant issue, situation with Turkey http://dw.com/p/1JrNs

Politico, 30.08.16: Thousands of refugees exploited as illegal workers in Germany: report http://www.politico.eu/article/thousands-of-refugees-exploited-as-illegal-workers-in-germany-report/

EurActiv, 31.08.16: Merkel admits mistakes made in Germany and EU on refugee crisis http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/merkel-admits-mistakes-made-in-germany-and-eu-on-refugee-crisis/

EUObserver, 31.08.16: EU dithering aggravated refugee crisis, Merkel says https://euobserver.com/migration/134830

Politico, 31.08.16: Angela Merkel: Germany ignored refugee crisis for too long http://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-germany-ignored-refugee-crisis-for-too-long/

EurActiv, 31.08.16: Substantial number of refugees hold illegal jobs in Germany http://www.euractiv.com/section/social-europe-jobs/news/substantial-number-of-refugees-hold-illegal-jobs-in-germany/

Deutsche Welle, 30.08.16: Merkel says mistakes made in Germany, EU concerning refugees http://dw.com/p/1JslD

Euro|Topics: Debates, September 2016: How has 'We can do it' changed Europe? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/165351/how-has-we-can-do-it-changed-europe

The Local.de, 02.09.16: Merkel’s approval rating sinks to five-year low http://www.thelocal.de/20160902/merkels-approval-rating-sinks-to-five-year-low

Politico, 02.09.16: Angela Merkel: Refugee surge won’t happen again http://www.politico.eu/article/chancellor-angela-merkel-refugee-migration-surge-wont-happen-again-germany/

Politico, 17.09.16: Angela Merkel drops the ‘we can do it’ slogan http://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-drops-the-we-can-do-it-slogan-catchphrase-migration-refugees/

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