Angela Merkel, the former German chancellor who opened her country to hundreds of thousands of Syrians in 2015 and persuaded other EU countries to do the same, is back opining on the topic of mass migration. Now that millions of Syrians, Afghans, and countless others have swarmed into Europe, causing a dramatic rise in crime, acts of terror, and social costs. Speaking in a Syrian restaurant in Berlin before an audience of refugees, she lectured the present government of Germany on how to handle the problem that she largely caused. According to Merkel, every person who shows up on Germany's border is entitled to a legal hearing. Multiply that by a few million throughout Europe, and you see the enormity of the problem.
The article below from today's Berliner Morgenpost is translated by Fousesquawk.
Merkel criticizes Merz: Whoever claims asylum, must get a proceeding"
June 30, 2025 13:38
Caption: Merkel distances herself from the coalition on TV. A person who asks for asylum has the right to a legal proceeding-even at the border.
Berlin: The former chancellor only has limited support for the migration policy. She insists on the rule of law-The (CDU) Christian Democratic party disagrees.
Almost a decade after her famous phrase, "We can do this", Angela Merkel returns to the German migration debate-and with emphasis. In a WRD (West German Broadcasting) discussion format with refugees, the former chancellor criticized the current asylum policy of the CDU-led Federal Republic under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. She called for legal proceedings, even at the border. "When someone (asks for) asylum, he must get a proceeding," Merkel said. That is her understanding of European law.
In this, she positioned herself clearly against the line of the Federal Interior Ministry under CDU Minister Alexander Dobrint, which is based on a restrictive practice. This provides for turning back asylum-seekers right at the German exterior border-even if they are denied a proceeding in Germany. A decision by the Berlin Administrative Court had recently classified the rejection of three Somalis from Poland as unlawful. The Ministry calls it an individual case ruling.
Refugee policy: Merkel warns of a change of course under AfD (Alternativ fuer Deutschland) influence
At the same time, Merkel appealed to the Democratic parties not to allow themselves to be driven by the AfD. "I cannot speak constantly about the AfD and adopt their agenda," she said. Instead, it is about thinking about migration in a European manner and accomplishing both limiting the number of illegal entries, without throwing away our own values.
What is crucial is who really needs protection and who doesn't, those who reach the country through smuggling networks. Merkel also spoke of economic aspects. In the management of legal immigration, the migration policy must be more strongly oriented to skilled workers, for example.
Afghanistan deportations: Merkel's appeal to Foreign Office
Merkel was especially clear with a view to local Afghan workers, who, after the withdrawal of the Bundeswehr (German military) in 2021, had been promised admission by the federal government under her leadership. Many of them had worked in service to the Bundeswehr or German institutions and are still waiting for the promised entry into Germany- over two years after the overthrow by the Taliban. Merkel reminded the Foreign Office of their responsibility. "The Foreign Ministry knows that promises were made."
Merkel also spoke about repatriations. Denials of asylum requests must have consequences, though humane treatment must be ensured. Whoever is sent back must be safely sent back to their country of origin. That also applies to Afghanistan.
Asylum law and rejections: CDU Government defends border policy.
The Federal Government reacted immediately to the remarks of the ex-chancellor. On ARD (German Broadcasting Company), the chief of the Chancellor's Office, Thorsten Frei (CDU), stressed that the basic law and asylum law give clear guidelines: Whoever comes to Germany through safe third countries, and has already applied there, in principle, has no claim to further proceedings in Germany.
At the same time, Frei defended the once much-discussed phrase, "We can do this," but he placed it in a historical context. "When the head of a government says, 'We can do something', that's the right attitude." But today, says Frei, the conditions are different. In 2019- still under Merkel-they reacted to the changed situation with a comprehensive migration package. Included in it was the so-called Repatriation Improvement Law.
The conversation between the former chancellor and refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and Iran took place in a Syrian restaurant in Berlin. The event was put on by WDR-Format WRD for you, which is aimed at people with refugee and migration experience. The occasion was the upcoming 10th anniversary of Merkel's decision in 2015 to open the borders for hundreds of thousands of refugees from Syria. Snippets have already been shown on the ARD Morning Magazine (show).
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