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Rightist Pressures in Germany

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July 07, 2018

What is the issue?

  • Rightist groups are gaining ground in German politics, through direct electoral support and through exerting ideological influence on mainstream parties.
  • But for the time being, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s politicking has averted any threat to her coalition government.

How did Ms. Merkel’s political brinkmanship help her win allies?  

  • Angela Merkel is now in her 4th term as German Chancellor, and has weathered many crises without jeopardising the stability of her government.
  • The 2017 German election was inconclusive with no party gaining a majority due to the erosion of votes by smaller extremist parties. 
  • Merkel’s long time ally “Social Democratic Party” (SPD) was also refusing to support her government and preferred sitting in the opposition.
  • But eventually, SDP revived the coalition with Ms. Merkel’s conservative “Christian Democratic Union” (CDU) in order to avert another poll.
  • Thereby, Ms. Merkel managed to have her way and stood her ground with her moderate political outlook.

How did she handle the current crisis?

  • Refugee Policy – Ms. Merkel is the most vocal proponent of open borders within the “European Union” and is presently the linchpin of grouping.
  • But this policy also entails refugees to enter Germany even though they might have registered themselves (as refugees) in another European country.
  • Many politicians (including among the ruling alliance) sought to plug this influx and also send those already in Germany to the countries of registration.
  • The issue threatened to end 70-year alliance of Merkel’s CDU with Bavaria based “Christian Social Union” (CSU).
  • Compromise - Ms. Merkel asserted that curtailing entry would undermine the European Block’s cherished “Schengen Passport-free Zone”.
  • To assuage the dissenting voices, she proposed to accommodate those seeking refuge at transit centres along the borders with Austria.
  • As Ms. Merkel has agreed to send them back to the countries of registration eventually, this is a partial victory for those demanding tighter borders.  
  • But nonetheless, Ms. Merkel has been holding strong in her endeavour to preserve the integrity of Euro-Zone.  

What are the implications? 

  • The recent compromise is a further dilution of Ms. Merkel’s bold 2015 move to allow about a million refugees into Germany.
  • Notably, refugee flow has actually been declining since 2016, and the current political unrest was caused due to approaching elections in Bavaria Province. 
  • This is a clear indication of Germany’s major mainstream parties facing pressures from smaller rightist groups, like in many other European countries.
  • On the other hand, the reality of mass immigration today calls for a concerted approach on conflict resolution and respect for the rule of law.

 

Source: The Hindu

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