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Merkel steps up

Engel Dagmar Kommentarbild App
Dagmar Engel
August 31, 2015

Germany's position on the refugee crisis facing Europe is clear and without "ifs" and "maybes," writes DW's Dagmar Engel. The only thing Chancellor Merkel could perhaps work on in future is her timing.

https://p.dw.com/p/1GOkw
Angela Merkel addressing press conference REUTERS/Axel Schmidt
Image: Reuters/A. Schmidt

Merkel's formulations came across clearly, with an almost manifest logic etched in stone, as the chancellor explained her government's stance on the question of asylum and migration during her annual press conference on Monday in Berlin.

1. The fundamental right to political asylum and protection from war and persecution will be upheld.

2. The fundamental inviolability of human dignity, regardless of origin or prospects of attaining asylum in Germany, will be upheld.

3. Any person who violates these fundamental rights, anyone who abuses the people who are coming to Germany (for instance, through arson attacks on refugee centers), will be subject to the harsh punishment of the law. End of discussion.

Not your average Merkel

Or rather, there was no discussion to begin with. There wasn't a single trace of understanding for the concerns of Germany's right-wing scene or of attempts to defend their actions, because nothing can justify hate-filled violence against refugees.

The chancellor won't engage in dialogue with xenophobes. If she had it her way, she wouldn't even mention them. Any form of recognition from her only enhances their status. "Stay away from them" - this exhortation was meant not only for her fellow citizens. Instead, Merkel chose a different path in her address, that of positive reinforcement. She expressed her gratitude and appreciation that the number of Germans willing to help refugees far exceeded that of the xenophobes. She even praised the German press for their coverage of the crisis.

All in all, this was pretty unorthodox for the chancellor.

Strong

Merkel even abstained from passing the buck to Europe. Of course, she said it was ultimately about creating a "European solution," and that if this couldn't be achieved the foundation of European values, the universality of human rights, could be in danger.

Dagmar Engel
DW's Dagmar Engel

But Merkel was clear in stressing that Germany also belongs to Europe. There is no room for interpretation when the federal chancellor says: "Germany is strong, and we are going to step up." Referring to past hurdles overcome, such as the European financial crisis and the Greek debt crisis, Merkel's address conveyed a sense of reassurance that, when the chips are really down, the chancellor is there and ready.

That's that

But that's where timing comes into it: this address should better have been given a week ago.

Or perhaps even earlier than that - the first public marches in Freital against refugee centers took place weeks ago. Perhaps this would have prevented further marches, like those in Heidenau, from happening.

"We must debate tough topics when they arise," were the words of the chancellor at her big press conference. However, when the debate is about fundamental rights that actually can't be debated, then that has to be made clear from the outset: see 1., 2., 3. above.

And that's that.

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