Even members of her CDU party — let alone her colleagues from her coalition partner SPD — are turning away from her and criticizing her policy, the journalist wrote.
Only about one third of German residents are currently supporting Merkel's policy of open doors. The feeling of hospitality towards refugees is being replaced by fear and anxiety, as many believe that the state might be too weak to tackle the current migration crisis.
In Sommer's opinion, Angela Merkel's slogan "We can do this!" is no longer convincing, especially taking into account the difficulties which have arisen from the ongoing influx of refugees.
However, it is increasingly becoming clear that other European states are unwilling to do their part to resolve the crisis, with almost all EU states opposing fair distribution of refugee quotas. Merkel pins her hopes on Turkey, which is expected to better protect maritime borders and place migrants in its territory.
At the same time, there are no real efforts to eliminate the causes of the migration crisis. The long awaited peace talks to resolve the situation in Syria and Iraq have not yet taken place because of the strained relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
According to Sommer, the refugee issue will be a real test for Merkel. She may face the most difficult choice of her Chancellorship: to abandon her point of view or "say goodbye" to her career, the author argued.
