A Decade of "We Can Do It": Evolution from Quiet Criticism to Clear Opposition

A Decade of "We Can Do It": Evolution from Quiet Criticism to Clear Opposition - The Evolution

In 2015, Germany faced a significant refugee crisis, a turning point in the country's history. Ten years later, key figures from politics, society, and religion share their reflections on the dramatic weeks and the long-term impact.

Michael Czaja, who served as general secretary of the federal CDU for a year and a half, praises the current migration policy, stating that securing the borders is working and the numbers are going down. He believes that the state's ability to act is returning. Boris Palmer, on the other hand, called for a radical U-turn in refugee policy in 2015, warning of tent cities in Germany and pushing for upper limits.

Sigmar Gabriel, a former German Chancellor, believes that the speed and sheer number of arrivals overwhelmed Germany. He strongly supported the decision to take in refugees but criticizes politics for not sufficiently supporting its own population with a "solidarity package." Gabriel describes anything other than open borders as only being possible with armed force.

Alice Schwarzer, a prominent feminist, warned about the risks of an uncontrolled refugee policy in 2015. She expressed concerns about men coming from patriarchal structures posing risks due to disempowered women, politicized Islam, and traumatic experiences from civil war. Ten years later, Schwarzer regrets being right about her warnings, and in a recent editorial, she warned again of a creeping subversion of democratic values by political Islam.

Michael Wolffsohn, a historian, described the German refugee policy of 2015 as "well-meaning," "very sympathetic," but "unfortunately naive." He emphasizes that he never said that one should let in every applicant without review. Wolffsohn still stands by this stance but notes that political steering failed almost completely in this regard.

Gregor Gysi, the parliamentary group leader of The Left in the Bundestag in 2015, praised the helpfulness of the population and the humanitarian content of the refugee crisis. He names mistakes that have had a lasting impact on the political climate and social cohesion, such as the temporary suspension of security checks and the lack of support for municipalities.

Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, as the chairperson of the EKD in 2015, expressed that Europe had the chance to show a new kind of humanity during the refugee crisis. Bedford-Strohm criticizes high barriers to entering the workforce for refugees and notes absurd situations as a bishop when people who were urgently needed were to be deported due to the lack of flexibility in asylum law. He still stands by his position, stating that Germany had shown its best face during the refugee crisis.

Boris Palmer, who criticized Merkel's statement in 2015 as a "disastrous mistake," believes the moral charging "in conjunction with the deliberate lack of control" is to blame for the AfD being the strongest force in polls and the country being deeply divided. He sees himself completely in line with government policy today.

Claudia Roth (Green Party), who was a strong supporter of Merkel’s "Wir schaffen das" in 2015, has since become largely silent on her earlier position and avoided commenting on it 10 years later, reflecting a possible change or distancing from her initial enthusiasm.

Ten years later, Schwarzer, Palmer, and Bedford-Strohm continue to share their views on the refugee crisis, each with a nuanced perspective on the mistakes made and the lessons learned. The crisis remains a significant event in Germany's history, shaping the political and social landscape for years to come.

A Decade of "We Can Do It": Evolution from Quiet Criticism to Clear Opposition - The Evolution