Merkel needs to convince her critics

Two back-to-back stinging defeats have rattled German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The internal splits are palpable now. Even though Merkel has dropped the “we can do it” rallying cry on migrants, she has refused to put a cap on migration. This is a bold and righteous move, but to convince her coalition partners about her stand would be a huge task indeed. The next convention of CDU is in December. During this meeting, the CDU will decide on the party’s course for the national elections. So, Merkel doesn’t have too much time left. She has to find support for her open-door policy and do it fast.
In fact, the twin defeats are not solely of CDU’s own making. The EU member states also have a hand in Merkel party’s losses. While Germany took in 1 million refugees last year, the EU compounded the crisis as some of the countries
rejected migrants and showed open defiance to burden-sharing. This worsened the situation and Merkel was left almost isolated in her humanitarian cry. An
impression was created that the situation was out of control and Merkel had to pay a heavy price for this. It has reflected in the electoral results.
The pressure now is escalating on Merkel to regain citizens’ support on the refugee matter. As things stand, she has to take a balanced approach. Limiting immigration would become necessary without effective backing from the EU. Merkel has to make her detractors understand that refugees need to be assimilated and integrated into the mainstream. She has to get through the message that migration pays economically in the long-run. The chancellor can tackle the voter distrust by explaining them that turning away refugees would create a serious global problem and that the fallout could be nastier than they can imagine. Of course, the security question has to be addressed too. There must be laws where newcomers can be dealt with an iron rod if they don’t fall in line.
There was a recent report that said many Poles are leaving UK and coming to Germany as they find it safe and secure. That’s Germany’s image in front of the world. Despite all the odds, Merkel has to take steps to ensure this image doesn’t get tarnished by the surge of the right wing. The poll drubbing that Merkel’s party has faced should be a wake-up call for all parties who stand for egalitarian values. The far right politicians in France, Austria, the Netherlands and other parts of the world are challenging the core of co-existence and they must not be allowed to find foothold anywhere.
Just before the Bratislava summit, Merkel had warned that the EU faces a “critical situation”. “We have to show with our actions that we can get better,” she had added. Now is the time to act to stop the fragmentation in the society due to cultural differences. The political landscape may be changing, but the moral values must hold us together. This is the message that Merkel has to spread. Her legacy could be a decisive factor in how Europe politics and ethos take shape in the days to come.