Bulletin of the Institute for Western Affairs, ed. 29 (449): Five years on since “wir schaffen das”: taking stock of the German migration policy

Bulletin ofthe Institute for Western Affairs, ed. 29 (449)/2020: Agata Kałabunowska, „Five years on since “wir schaffen das”: taking stock ofthe German migrationpolicy”

Coined by Chancellor Angela Merkel, the phrase “Wir schaffen das!” (“We will manage!”) has become the most recognizable symbol of the migration crisis. Some hold it to be an expression of “boldness and trust” that encouraged “pragmatic action”. Others believe it was more of a manifestation of the naïveté of the German government unaware of the burden it was bringing to bear on itself and the German public. Other very different views have also been circulated suggesting the government had adopted a calculated stance looking to financially secure its aging society. The decision to open Germany’s borders in September 2015 sparked a debate in the European institutions on both Germany’s response that was not agreed with its partners and the cultural consequences of opening the borders to migrants from outside Europe.

In recent weeks, five years on since the “outbreak” of the migration crisis, scores of commentaries and studies have appeared that attempt to take stock of Germany’s migration and asylum policy. The impression one gets is that German commentators has approached the matter in an extremely matter-of-factly and thorough manner. Statistics and expert opinions seem to prevail over baseless emotional assertions. This study is an attempt to review them.