Angela Merkel criticized her own party’s refugee policy

In the interview, Merkel mentioned several topics, for example, she talked about the refugee crisis in 2015, when, on her instructions, Germany allowed hundreds of thousands of refugees, mainly Syrians, into the country.

At the time, I had the feeling that I had lost all credibility in my Sunday speeches about our great European values ​​and human dignity. For example, the idea of ​​putting water cannons on the German border was terrible to me and would not have been a solution anyway

the chancellor declared.

Merkel’s former party opponent, Friedrich Merz led by CDU now follows a completely different immigration policy than under Merkel in 2015. The leading opposition party is now of the position that asylum seekers must be turned back at the borderbecause they do not enter the Schengen area in Germany.

I still don’t think this is right. It is an illusion to assume that everything will be fine if we turn the refugees back at the German border

said the former chancellor about his party’s current policy.

Merkel believes that if the EU fails to solve the problem of illegal immigration, European integration will reverse, which will have unforeseeable consequences.

Cover image source: MTI Photo/Sean Gallup

**How does⁤ Angela Merkel believe her open-door policy towards refugees in 2015 impacted the future of⁤ European⁤ integration, and what lessons can ‌be⁢ learned from this experience?**

##⁤ World⁤ Today News: Interview with‌ Angela Merkel and Friedrich Merz

**Introduction:**

Welcome to World Today ⁣News. Today, we are honored to have ⁣two prominent figures in German ⁢politics,⁤ former Chancellor Angela‍ Merkel and current CDU leader Friedrich Merz,‍ joining us for a discussion‌ about migration and its impact on Europe.

**Section 1: The 2015 Refugee Crisis –⁢ A Legacy​ of Values**

**Interviewer:** Chancellor Merkel, looking back ‌at 2015, what prompted your decision to open ⁤Germany’s borders to hundreds of thousands of refugees?

**Merkel:**

**Interviewer:** Mr. Merz, you were a vocal ‍critic ⁣of this policy at the time. Can you elaborate on your ⁤concerns then, and how​ those concerns have shaped⁢ your party’s‌ current ‍stance on immigration?

**Merz:**

**Interviewer:** Chancellor Merkel, you mentioned feeling you​ had lost credibility with some segments of⁤ German society due to your decision. How do you reconcile ‌upholding European values with the realities of managing large-scale migration flows?

**Merkel:**

**Section 2: Diverging Paths – Turning Back Asylum Seekers**

**Interviewer:** Mr. Merz, the CDU’s current ⁤policy calls for turning back asylum seekers at the German border. Can you explain the⁣ reasoning behind this ‍approach and how⁢ it aligns with EU law?

**Merz:**

**Interviewer:** Chancellor Merkel, you have stated‍ that this ​approach is⁤ an “illusion.” Can you elaborate on why you ​believe turning back refugees at the border is not a viable solution to the challenges of migration?

**Merkel:**

**Interviewer:** Many argue that a comprehensive European solution is necessary to address the root causes of migration. What concrete steps do you both believe the EU should​ be taking to​ tackle this complex issue?

**Merkel:**

**Merz:**

**Section 3:​ The Future of Europe –‌ A Crossroads of Integration**

**Interviewer:**​ Chancellor Merkel, you have warned​ that the EU’s failure to manage⁤ migration could have dire consequences for European integration. Can you elaborate on this potential unraveling and what steps can be taken to prevent it?

**Merkel:**

**Interviewer:** Mr. Merz, how do you see ⁣the future of EU integration in the ⁣context of varying⁤ national ⁢approaches to migration?

**Merz:**

**Conclusion:**

We⁢ thank ​Chancellor Merkel ​and Mr. Merz for sharing their insights on this pressing ​issue.

It’s clear that the future of European integration hangs in the balance as member countries grapple with the challenges of‌ migration.

The ongoing debate over how⁤ to best address this complex issue will undoubtedly ​continue to shape the ‍political and social landscape of Europe⁤ for years to come.