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Deep Divisions in German Coalition Threaten Merkel's Power Base

© AFP 2023 / Christof StacheBavaria State Premier Horst Seehofer arrives to give a news conference on the situation of migrants in Bavariain Munich, southern Germany, on October 9, 2015.
Bavaria State Premier Horst Seehofer arrives to give a news conference on the situation of migrants in Bavariain Munich, southern Germany, on October 9, 2015. - Sputnik International
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel is facing the toughest test of her political career after talks to resolve deep divisions within her coalition government threaten to split the union, with potentially serious consequences for Germany and the EU itself.

Merkel's 'open doors' policy that precipitated one of the greatest mass exoduses in modern times has led to a serious rift between her CDU party, its sister organization, the CSU — led by Horst Seehofer, and Minister-President of Bavaria and their coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) led by Sigmar Gabriel.

© AP Photo / Jens MeyerHorst Seehofer, the leader of the right wing Bavarian Christian Social Union said that "no society" could cope with such prolonged increases in migrants influxes, saying Merkel had "sent completely the wrong signal" to the world.
Horst Seehofer, the leader of the right wing Bavarian Christian Social Union said that no society could cope with such prolonged increases in migrants influxes, saying Merkel had sent completely the wrong signal to the world. - Sputnik International
Horst Seehofer, the leader of the right wing Bavarian Christian Social Union said that "no society" could cope with such prolonged increases in migrants influxes, saying Merkel had "sent completely the wrong signal" to the world.

Merkel, Seehofer and Gabriel failed to find agreement over her handling of the refugee crisis in talks on Sunday, with the Bavarian leader threatening "consequences" if Merkel did not take serious action over the crisis and agree to put a cap on the number of refugees Germany is prepared to take in. Gabriel, meanwhile, is threatening to pull ministers out of the coalition which would plunge the German Government into chaos.

If Merkel fails to find agreement this week, the strong woman of Europe and her powerbase will be seriously threatened and could lead to the demise of the European Union. Several countries in Eastern Europe are against her refugee policy and Europe is deeply divided on her calls for refugees to be allocated to each country on a quota basis.

© AP Photo / Jens MeyerA woman waits in front of a wall newspaper in the initial reception center for asylum seekers in Halle/Saale, Germany, Friday, Oct. 16, 2015.
A woman waits in front of a wall newspaper in the initial reception center for asylum seekers in Halle/Saale, Germany, Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. - Sputnik International
A woman waits in front of a wall newspaper in the initial reception center for asylum seekers in Halle/Saale, Germany, Friday, Oct. 16, 2015.

Meanwhile, there are still rumblings within the Eurozone, with many analysts — including those at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) — predicting that Greece is heading for another default and a possible Grexit next year. Merkel has solidly backed the harsh — and deeply unpopular — austerity package for Greece in an effort to keep up confidence in the euro.

Yet she is facing calls for more centralization of the Eurozone nations in an effort to pull together the single currency, in a move that is unpopular with some members who see the currency becoming a two-speed hybrid.

Unpopular Merkel

Most Germans initially backed Merkel over her decision to welcome up to 800,000 genuine refugees from warzones including Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, among others. Now, however, with up to 1.5 million expected and refugee centers bursting at the seams, support for her decision is slipping, as is her political popularity.

© AP Photo / Jens MeyerProtestors hold a banner with manipulated images of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel and German President Joachim Gauck, from left to right, during a demonstration of the PEGIDA (Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the West), marking the first anniversary of the anti-Islam group in Dresden, eastern Germany, Monday, Oct. 19, 2015.
Protestors hold a banner with manipulated images of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel and German President Joachim Gauck, from left to right, during a demonstration of the PEGIDA (Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the West), marking the first anniversary of the anti-Islam group in Dresden, eastern Germany, Monday, Oct. 19, 2015.  - Sputnik International
Protestors hold a banner with manipulated images of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel and German President Joachim Gauck, from left to right, during a demonstration of the PEGIDA (Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the West), marking the first anniversary of the anti-Islam group in Dresden, eastern Germany, Monday, Oct. 19, 2015.

A recent DeutschlandTrend poll for public broadcaster ARD showed that 51 percent of respondents — up by 13 percent in the past month — now say they are scared by the number of asylum seekers arriving in Germany.

The majority of asylum seekers are following the West Balkan route and entering Germany via Austria, making Bavaria the state that is dealing with the brunt of the problem.

Refugees wait outside in a bus during their arrival in the accommodation, the exhibition halls of the Trade Fair Messe Erfurt, in Erfurt, central Germany, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015 - Sputnik International
We'll Send Migrant Buses to Your Office, Bavarian Official Warns Merkel
Merkel has called for more talks on November 5 to reach agreement over a number of issues, including setting up transit zones, which the SPD says is too restrictive. Merkel's party denied they were too similar to concentrations camps.

If Merkel fails to reach an agreement with her coalition partners, not only will Germany be plunged into chaos, but the whole European dream may start falling apart.

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