Merkel’s deputy: Germany must give refugee-hosting cities more

December 23, 2017

German Deputy Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel on Saturday told German publisher Funke Mediengruppe that the federal government must increase financial support for cities who take in refugees to prevent growing anti-migrant sentiment.

“Municipalities should not face the decision whether to integrate refugees or renovate their swimming pool. Instead, the federal government must give them the opportunity to do both,” said Gabriel, who also serves as foreign minister.

Read more: Germany’s empty refugee shelters: Sensible backup or waste of money?

Refugee integration has been a stumbling block in talks aimed at forming a government in the wake of divisive elections that took place in September. The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party made its debut in parliament this year, riding on a wave of anti-migrant sentiment.

“We can also prevent that citizens get the impression: Everything is done for refugees, but nothing for us,” added Gabriel, who’s Social Democrats witnessed one of its worst electoral performances during the September elections.

How did Europe’s refugee crisis start?

Fleeing war and poverty

In late 2014, with the war in Syria approaching its fourth year and Islamic State making gains in the north of the country, the exodus of Syrians intensified. At the same time, others were fleeing violence and poverty in countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Somalia, Niger and Kosovo.

How did Europe’s refugee crisis start?

Seeking refuge over the border

Vast numbers of Syrian refugees had been gathering in border-town camps in neighboring Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan since 2011. By 2015, with the camps full to bursting and residents often unable to find work or educate their children, more and more people decided to seek asylum further afield.

How did Europe’s refugee crisis start?

A long journey on foot

In 2015 an estimated 1.5 million people made their way on foot from Greece towards western Europe via the “Balkan route”. The Schengen Agreement, which allows passport-free travel within much of the EU, was called into question as refugees headed towards the wealthier European nations.

How did Europe’s refugee crisis start?

Desperate sea crossings

Tens of thousands of refugees were also attempting the perilous journey across the Mediterranean on overcrowded boats. In April 2015, 800 people of various nationalities drowned when a boat traveling from Libya capsized off the Italian coast. This was to be just one of many similar tragedies – by the end of the year, nearly 4,000 refugees were reported to have died attempting the crossing.

How did Europe’s refugee crisis start?

Pressure on the borders

Countries along the EU’s external border struggled to cope with the sheer number of arrivals. Fences were erected in Hungary, Slovenia, Macedonia and Austria. Asylum laws were tightened and several Schengen area countries introduced temporary border controls.

How did Europe’s refugee crisis start?

Closing the open door

Critics of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s “open-door” refugee policy claimed it had made the situation worse by encouraging more people to embark on the dangerous journey to Europe. By September 2016, Germany had also introduced temporary checks on its border with Austria.

How did Europe’s refugee crisis start?

Striking a deal with Turkey

In early 2016, the EU and Turkey signed an agreement under which refugees arriving in Greece could be sent back to Turkey. The deal has been criticised by human rights groups and came under new strain following a vote by the European Parliament in November to freeze talks on Turkey’s potential accession to the EU.

How did Europe’s refugee crisis start?

No end in sight

With anti-immigration sentiment in Europe growing, governments are still struggling to reach a consensus on how to handle the continuing refugee crisis. Attempts to introduce quotas for the distribution of refugees among EU member states have largely failed. Conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere show no signs coming to an end, and the death toll from refugee sea crossings is on the rise.

Author: Rachel Stewart

Germany is ‘what America was’

For many of the refugees, Germany is “what America was in the 19th century – a place of longing,” Gabriel said. However, Germany cannot “fulfill all longings.”

Since 2015, Germany has received more than one million refugees as part of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s open-door policy for those fleeing armed conflict, most notably in Syria.

In order to adequately integrate one million refugees, Gabriel said the country needs an additional 25,000 teachers and 15,000 nursery school teachers, along with thousands of new homes.

Read more: How refugees are settling into Germany, two years on

“We have to reward cities and communities for taking in refugees,” Gabriel said. “The costs of integration should be replaced by the federal government.”

Gabriel’s Social Democrats are currently in exploratory coalition talks with Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and their Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU).

The many faces of Angela Merkel

The ‘Triangle of Power’

Merkel has become known for using the same hand gesture at public appearances and in front of the camera, putting her fingertips together to form what some call the Merkel-rhombus and others the “triangle of power.” If she has done so consciously or as a routine gesture out of habit is a question that have contemporary critics and journalists puzzled. Just what is she trying to say with it?

The many faces of Angela Merkel

A European politician

The German chancellor is known for her commanding and engaged appearance, often appearing quite somber, especially in Europe. Though she has been known to crack a smile at the right time, here, at the recent European leaders summit in Bratislava, she was more composed. To her left is Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke and to her right, the Prime Minster of Belgium, Charles Michel.

The many faces of Angela Merkel

Selfie with the chancellor

Merkel has come into the spotlight for her response to last year’s influx of refugees.. Questions about her response to the crisis can be answered when elements of her personal life are considered, as Rinke does in his book. She frequently visits schools and refugee shelters and while doing so, takes time out for selfies, as here in 2015 with Syrian asylum applicant Anas Modamani in Berlin.

The many faces of Angela Merkel

A juggler in the coalition

As chancellor and head of the CDU party, Merkel faces a bit of difficulty in remaining considerate with some of her working partners. She does not respond with the huffiness her SPD party colleague Sigmar Gabriel is known for. Against attacks by the head of CSU Bavaria, the “archetypical Bavarian man,” Horst Seehofer, she responds with cool objectivity.

The many faces of Angela Merkel

Curious about the digital age

For trained physicist Angela Merkel, the world of the internet and digital media is said to be relatively foreign, although her team does now have an Instagram account, which is fed by her official photographer. Still, that didn’t stop her from grabbing the ear of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg at a lunch meeting at the UN in 2015.

The many faces of Angela Merkel

The preacher’s daughter

The daughter of a Protestant minister, Merkel’s values are said by Rinke to have been shaped by her Christian upbringing. In 2016, she was given a private audience with Pope Francis I at the Vatican, where the two exchanged words on their favorite books.

The many faces of Angela Merkel

A toast to friendly political relations

Merkel is not known to let it all hang out and, though rare due to her full schedule, celebrations are done in style. In 2013, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Élysee agreement between Germany and France, Merkel invited the entire parliament to toast the two countries’ friendly relations over champagne.

The many faces of Angela Merkel

A private chancellor

The chancellor gets only a few free vacation moments each year and even when on holiday, as here in Poland, she is not free from the prying eyes of the public. Her husband, Joachim Sauer, also pictured here, is rarely in the spotlight.

Author: Heike Mund / ct