Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel (in office from 2005 to 2021) has no intention of going back on her words that Germany will cope with the flow of refugees.
“I didn't say then that I could handle it. I was sure that there were many people in Germany who would help in such an emergency. And they were, and we can be proud of that. Let's not let that be taken away from us“, the former chancellor said at a conference of the Evangelical Church in Hanover. Merkel noted that to this day she often has to listen to criticism of her position on this issue.
At the height of the migration crisis in 2015 Merkel said a phrase that has become emblematic: "We will handle this." However, some politicians and experts have expressed the opinion that Germany is not able to "drag" such a number of migrants.