Упрощенная HTML-версия
Author : V. Vasilyev
Doctor of Science (Political Science), leading research associate, Primakov Institute of World Economy
and International Relations, Russian Academy of Sciences
THE MASSIVE FLOW of refugees and migrants into Europe is a prob-
lem of political, humanitarian, social, demographical, and economic di-
mensions.
With its number one economy in Europe and number four economy in
the world, with its huge experience as a "melting pot" of ethnic commu-
nities and its humane treatment of non-ethnic Germans and non-Chris-
tians, Germany has come to symbolize a comfortable European home of
tolerance with high living standards and a stable welfare state. German
politicians with foreign roots have taken senior positions in government
and political parties.
THE TORNADO OF MIGRATION has put an end to Germany's trou-
ble-free existence. The German government is feverishly looking for a
solution. More than 900,000 migrants were registered to have arrived between January and November
2015. In September, October and November, more than 10,000 people crossed the border into Ger-
many every day. The political, social and economic situation not only in Germany but also in other Eu-
ropean countries depends on whether the Germans live up to this challenge.
Surveys produce a picture that is volatile but clearly shows an anti-Merkel trend, and public sentiments
confirm this. Polls suggest that half the population fears that the current inflow of migrants will result
in the erosion of German national identity and lead to higher taxes as a source of support for new-
comers.
GERMANY urges other European countries to do more to resolve the crisis. It insists on addressing
the causes of the crisis and drawing up a mechanism to settle it. But Merkel uses different tones in talk-
ing to European nations and to the United States. Whereas she has been very firm with the former, she
thanked President Barack Obama for his decision to put off the withdrawal of American troops from
Afghanistan, which she considers another potential source of refugees.
Obviously, dealing with migration problems should be the job of not only efficient administrators with
good knowledge of the situation but also of specialized law enforcement agencies with employees
knowledgeable about the cultures and languages of migrants' home countries. The Berlin criminal police
force provides unique services with officers of immigrant origin, people with Turkish and Serbian roots
for example.
EU countries are increasingly divided on how to deal with the migration crisis. Merkel is against pro-
posals to close borders and to suspend accepting migrants or set quotas for it. She and her supporters
see registration camps as the optimum solution and advocate humanitarianism and economic and po-
litical pragmatism as the key principles for dealing with the migration problem.
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Migration as a Bane and Boon for Germany