Merkel strikes compromise: pledges to reduce refugee flow, but keep doors open

Germany will reduce its migrant influx, Chancellor Angela Merkel promised her conservative party Monday, insisting that she’s still confident her diplomatic efforts will work and Europe will pass the “historic test” posed by the refugee crisis. After weeks of infighting over the expected arrival of around one million asylum seekers to Germany this year, Merkel united her conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) behind a centrist line of generosity with clear limits.

We want to, and will, appreciably reduce the number of refugees, because it’s in everyone’s interest.

Merkel

Named person of the year by Time magazine for her bold response to the crisis, Merkel has faced growing opposition at home to her open-door refugee policy and has begun hardening her position, but insisted Germany would never seal its border. Merkel has made clear that she wants to reduce the influx but has resisted calls to set a specific limit on the number of refugees Germany can take and  instead stressed  the importance of finding a diplomatic solution for the crisis with the rest of Europe.

This is an historic test for Europe and I want Europe to pass it.

Merkel

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