Integrating refugees after Cologne attacks

View from Berlin: Days of disillusionment

  • Josef Janning
  • Commentary
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  • Views from the Capitals

After Cologne, reducing immigrant numbers and progress on intergration key for Merkel in 2016

View from Sofia: The national interest

  • Louisa Slavkova
  • Commentary
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  • Views from the Capitals

Growing discontent is closing the window of opportunity for concessions on refugees

As news filtered out about the extent of sexual harassment on New Year's Eve in Cologne, Europe looked on with horror. It soon became apparent that many of the perpetrators were of Arab or North African origin and that many of them were refugees in Germany. This news, as well as the revelation of similar attacks in Stockholm, both of which had strong hints of a cover up by the police and the media, has reopened deep divisions in Europe about the refugee crisis. Those who had opposed opening Europe's doors to migrants saw in the attacks justification of their approach and were not shy of saying so.

In this situation, how will attempts to foster a European approach to the refugee crisis fare? Will the rifts between Europe's member states widen, perhaps fundamentally damaging Europe's cohesion?