Most Germans say refugee crisis 'uncontrolled' by Merkel govt – poll

Nearly four in five Germans believe Merkel’s government isn’t controlling the refugee crisis, and welcome tougher measures to deal with it, a recent poll by ARD Deutschlandtrend suggested on Wednesday.

The majority of Germans seem to disagree with Angela Merkel’s refugee policy, according to a poll conducted by ARD Deutschlandtrend last weekend. Asked whether “the federal government has the refugee situation under control,” 81 percent of Germans answered “No,” with only 18 percent saying “Yes.”

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Those answering “No” also included members of Merkel’s Christian Social Union, with a notable 67 percent of the party’s voters unhappy with the chancellor’s policies.

Voter support for Merkel’s government dropped from 57 percent in July 2015 to 38 percent on February 2016 – “the worst estimate during the current government’s term,” the pollster said.

Germany’s right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) that advocates an anti-immigrant agenda became the third most influential party. It was projected to get 12 percent of the vote if the federal election were held this Sunday.

Most Germans also think more restrictive measures towards refugees and asylum seekers must follow.

A remarkable 88 percent believe the government should curb benefits for refugees who fail or are unwilling to integrate into German society, with a tiny 10 percent saying “No” – a measure previously announced by Germany’s Labor Minister Andrea Nahles.

Introducing tougher border control on the EU’s external frontiers and a more detailed processing of refugee applications, debated over the past months in Germany, was also widely supported. Sixty-three percent said “Yes” to install the EU’s external border, while 33 percent were opposed.

Consequently, 53 percent of Germans said border controls within EU countries – seen as threatening the Schengen border-free zone by many in Brussels – has to be introduced as well.

Europe must also set up refugee centers at the EU’s external borders to process migrants’ applications and send back ineligible asylum seekers, said 77 percent of respondents.

The poll came alongside the so-called “Asylum package II” (Asylpaket II) – the newest set of measures by the German government designed to toughen refugee policies. The package includes putting limits on the number of refugees admitted to Europe, and also an attempt to integrate those who have already reached Germany. Refugees will have to take integration courses costing €10 a month.

Merkel’s government has come under intense fire for the chancellor’s “welcoming policy” towards refugees, who have recently arrived in Germany in overwhelming numbers. Although she says Germany can cope with the 1.1 million that arrived in 2015 – and potentially more in 2016 – nearly 40 percent of Germans believe Merkel should step down over her refugee policy, according to January’s Insa survey for Focus magazine.

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