Media mentions – Refugee crisis
Is Germany going to run up debts? Is a tax increase necessary? Limitations to the acceptance of refugees are oftentimes substantiated with financial arguments. However, Germany is more than capable to bear the expenses according to Sebastian Dullien.
The refugee crisis and her political stance made Angela Merkel lose popularity and political support even among her own political party members. Josef Janning confirms this statement.
The EU and the Turkish government negotiate on a visa-free travel agreement for Turkish citizens and financial support to deal with the refugee burden in Turkey. Josef Janning argues that part of the deal to receive financial aid is to open the Turkish labor market to refugees and to debate the possibility of citizenship. Janning believes that the total abolition of visa requirements is unlikely but the two parties may agree on groups with certain professions. However, this will be more time-consuming than currently estimated.
When the number of migrants arriving in Germany was exploding, also the willingness of people to help was exploding, explains Josef Janning.
The debate on how to deal with refugees in Germany splits the governing party frim Angela Merkel, CDU. In the centre is the issue of identity within this crisis. The question remains if the crisis pushes this aspect to the centre of German public debate. Josef Janning adds that people are afraif to ask who is 'a German'.
Fredrik Wesslau's recent commentary on the Western Balkans and the refugee relocation scheme is mentioned