Changes

===2017 election===

===2017 election===

In a campaign described as "boring", Merkel saw a challenge by the SPD's left-wing [[Martin Schulz]], the former president of the [[European Parliament]]. Merkel was seen by some commentators to have subtly tacked towards the right on some policies such as migration and [[Turkey]]'s accession to the EU – two issues she formerly was wholeheartedly in support of. In the election, the right-wing conservative [[Alternative for Germany]] entered the Bundestag after taking a historic third place with nearly 13% of the vote, while Merkel's CDU received its worst result since 1949.<ref>Multiple references:

In a campaign described as "boring", Merkel saw a challenge by the SPD's left-wing [[Martin Schulz]], the former president of the [[European Parliament]]. Merkel was seen by some commentators to have subtly tacked towards the right on some policies such as migration and [[Turkey]]'s accession to the EU – two issues she formerly was wholeheartedly in support of. In the election, the right-wing conservative [[Alternative for Germany]] entered the Bundestag after taking a historic third place with nearly 13% of the vote, while Merkel's CDU received its worst result since 1949.<ref>Multiple references:

*Tomlinson, Chris (September 25, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/25/merkel-scores-pyrrhic-victory-populists-beat-expectations/ Merkel’s Pyrrhic Victory: Worst Party Performance Since 1949 As Populist AfD Beat Expectations]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Tomlinson, Chris (September 25, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/25/merkel-scores-pyrrhic-victory-populists-beat-expectations/ Merkel’s Pyrrhic Victory: Worst Party Performance Since 1949 As Populist AfD Beat Expectations]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Dettmer, Jamie (September 25, 2017). [https://www.voanews.com/a/germany-elections-afd/4043104.html Germany Shaken by Far-right Political Earthquake]. ''Voice of America''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Dettmer, Jamie (September 25, 2017). [https://www.voanews.com/a/germany-elections-afd/4043104.html Germany Shaken by Far-right Political Earthquake]. ''Voice of America''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Dettmer, Jamie (September 25, 2017). [https://www.voanews.com/a/merkel-win-seen-as-inevitable/4042028.html Merkel Wins Historic Fourth Term But Far-right Populists Surge]. ''Voice of America''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Dettmer, Jamie (September 25, 2017). [https://www.voanews.com/a/merkel-win-seen-as-inevitable/4042028.html Merkel Wins Historic Fourth Term But Far-right Populists Surge]. ''Voice of America''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Ridgwell, Henry (September 25, 2017). [https://www.voanews.com/a/germany-far-right-reclaim-country-angela-merkel-coalition-talks/4043603.html German Far-right Pledges to 'Reclaim Country' as Merkel Begins Tough Coalition Talks]. ''Voice of America''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Ridgwell, Henry (September 25, 2017). [https://www.voanews.com/a/germany-far-right-reclaim-country-angela-merkel-coalition-talks/4043603.html German Far-right Pledges to 'Reclaim Country' as Merkel Begins Tough Coalition Talks]. ''Voice of America''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Chazan, Guy (September 24, 2017). [https://www.ft.com/content/d18213e0-a105-11e7-b797-b61809486fe2 Nationalist AfD make historic breakthrough in German elections]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.</ref> Despite this, Merkel continued defending her open borders policies.<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/25/merkel-defends-open-borders-migrant-policy-election-shock/ Merkel Defends Open Borders Migrant Policy After Election Shock]. ''Breitbart News''. September 25, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.</ref> Merkel had trouble creating a government, with the Social Democrats initially refusing to work with her in a coalition and with the Greens and FDP being unable to agree together with the CDU. In February 2018, Merkel reached an agreement with the Social Democrats that gave the latter party a disproportionate amount of influence in her government.<ref>Joffe, Josef (February 9, 2018). [https://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-martin-schulz-cdu-spd-government-of-losers/ Angela’s Merkel government of losers]. ''Politico''. Retrieved February 9, 2018.</ref> Six months after the election, the German Bundestag voted to give Merkel a fourth term as chancellor with her "grand coalition" with the SPD.<ref>Multiple references:

*Chazan, Guy (September 24, 2017). [https://www.ft.com/content/d18213e0-a105-11e7-b797-b61809486fe2 Nationalist AfD make historic breakthrough in German elections]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.</ref> Despite this, Merkel continued defending her open borders policies.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/25/merkel-defends-open-borders-migrant-policy-election-shock/ Merkel Defends Open Borders Migrant Policy After Election Shock]. ''Breitbart News''. September 25, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.</ref> Merkel had trouble creating a government, with the Social Democrats initially refusing to work with her in a coalition and with the Greens and FDP being unable to agree together with the CDU. In February 2018, Merkel reached an agreement with the Social Democrats that gave the latter party a disproportionate amount of influence in her government.<ref>Joffe, Josef (February 9, 2018). [https://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-martin-schulz-cdu-spd-government-of-losers/ Angela’s Merkel government of losers]. ''Politico''. Retrieved February 9, 2018.</ref> Six months after the election, the German Bundestag voted to give Merkel a fourth term as chancellor with her "grand coalition" with the SPD.<ref>Multiple references:

*[http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/03/14/six-months-inconclusive-elections-angela-merkel-begins-historic-fourth-term-chancellor/ Six Months After Worst Ever Election Result Angela Merkel Begins Historic Fourth Term as Chancellor]. ''Breitbart News''. March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.

*[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/03/14/six-months-inconclusive-elections-angela-merkel-begins-historic-fourth-term-chancellor/ Six Months After Worst Ever Election Result Angela Merkel Begins Historic Fourth Term as Chancellor]. ''Breitbart News''. March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.

*[http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/03/14/angela-merkel-elected-for-4th-term-as-german-chancellor.html Angela Merkel elected for 4th term as German chancellor]. ''Fox News''. March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.

*[http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/03/14/angela-merkel-elected-for-4th-term-as-german-chancellor.html Angela Merkel elected for 4th term as German chancellor]. ''Fox News''. March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.

*Doubek, James (March 14, 2018). [https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/14/593412170/germanys-angela-merkel-begins-fourth-term-on-shaky-ground Germany's Angela Merkel Begins Fourth Term On Shaky Ground]. ''NPR''. Retrieved March 14, 2018.

*Doubek, James (March 14, 2018). [https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/14/593412170/germanys-angela-merkel-begins-fourth-term-on-shaky-ground Germany's Angela Merkel Begins Fourth Term On Shaky Ground]. ''NPR''. Retrieved March 14, 2018.

===Policies===

===Policies===

Merkel supports [[liberal]] and [[Globalism|globalist]] policies. She allowed her party members a free vote for legalizing [[same-sex "marriage"]]. In June 2017 the German parliament voted for legalizing them, including some MPs from Merkel's party, although she herself voted against it.<ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/angela-merkel-same-sex-marriage-vote-germany-legalisation-lgbt-rights-christian-democrat-man-woman-a7815846.html</ref> Her nation harshly opposes [[homeschooling]]. She supports the socialist and globalist [[European Union]] and open borders. Her left-wing policies contributed significantly to the [[European migrant crisis]]. Merkel opposes patriotic policies, such as building [[border wall]]s and advancing protectionism, opposes [[populism]], and supports [[globalism]].<ref>Deacon, Liam (January 24, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/01/24/merkel-davos-attacks-walls-poison-populism-defends-globalism/ Merkel at Davos: Attacks ‘Walls’ and ‘Poison’ of Populism, Defends Globalism]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 24, 2018.</ref>

Merkel supports [[liberal]] and [[Globalism|globalist]] policies. She allowed her party members a free vote for legalizing [[same-sex "marriage"]]. In June 2017 the German parliament voted for legalizing them, including some MPs from Merkel's party, although she herself voted against it.<ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/angela-merkel-same-sex-marriage-vote-germany-legalisation-lgbt-rights-christian-democrat-man-woman-a7815846.html</ref> Her nation harshly opposes [[homeschooling]]. She supports the socialist and globalist [[European Union]] and open borders. Her left-wing policies contributed significantly to the [[European migrant crisis]]. Merkel opposes patriotic policies, such as building [[border wall]]s and advancing protectionism, opposes [[populism]], and supports [[globalism]].<ref>Deacon, Liam (January 24, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/01/24/merkel-davos-attacks-walls-poison-populism-defends-globalism/ Merkel at Davos: Attacks ‘Walls’ and ‘Poison’ of Populism, Defends Globalism]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 24, 2018.</ref>

Merkel fears that the EU has failed to define its common interests "for the (commercial) battles of the future" now Europe's cold war priorities of keeping "peace and freedom" have been achieved. "This is where I think Europe needs to learn a lot, not to concentrate too much on whether bicycle paths are built the same way in Portugal and north-west Germany."

Merkel fears that the EU has failed to define its common interests "for the (commercial) battles of the future" now Europe's cold war priorities of keeping "peace and freedom" have been achieved. "This is where I think Europe needs to learn a lot, not to concentrate too much on whether bicycle paths are built the same way in Portugal and north-west Germany."

====Migration policy====

====Migration policy====

Because of Merkel's [[open borders]] policies, more than 2.5 million refugees and migrants have flooded into Germany from outside Europe, migrants who do not share a common European heritage with their host country. In 2015 alone, Germany was invaded by nearly one million non-Western immigrants,<ref>[http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2016/10/europe-immigration-muslim-refugees-portraits/ The New Europeans], Robert Kunzig, ''National Geographic'', October 2016</ref> more than double the size of Germany's standing and reserve military force. Merkel opposed setting an upper limit on the number of refugees Germany would allow in annually.<ref>Delcker, Janosch (October 2, 2017). [http://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-germany-new-refugee-dilemma-bavaria-csu/ Angela Merkel’s new refugee dilemma]. ''Politico''. Retrieved October 3, 2017.</ref> It was reported in August 2017 that since 2015, when the [[European migrant crisis]] was at its height, the German Prosecutor’s Office received over 1,000 criminal complaints accusing Merkel of high treason for her actions regarding refugees and immigration.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (August 31, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/08/31/german-prosecutors-1000-criminal-complaints-merkel-high-treason/ Prosecutors Have Rejected 1,000 High Treason Charges Against Merkel For Migrant Crisis Since 2015]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 31, 2017.</ref> This represented a massive visible shift in her policies since 2010, when she actually stated that multicultural society had failed and that immigrants needed to do more to integrate, including learning German.<ref>(October 17, 2010). [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-11559451 Merkel says German multicultural society has failed]. ''BBC''. Retrieved September 16, 2018.</ref>

Because of Merkel's [[open borders]] policies, more than 2.5 million refugees and migrants have flooded into Germany from outside Europe, migrants who do not share a common European heritage with their host country. In 2015 alone, Germany was invaded by nearly one million non-Western immigrants,<ref>[http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2016/10/europe-immigration-muslim-refugees-portraits/ The New Europeans], Robert Kunzig, ''National Geographic'', October 2016</ref> more than double the size of Germany's standing and reserve military force. Merkel opposed setting an upper limit on the number of refugees Germany would allow in annually.<ref>Delcker, Janosch (October 2, 2017). [https://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-germany-new-refugee-dilemma-bavaria-csu/ Angela Merkel’s new refugee dilemma]. ''Politico''. Retrieved October 3, 2017.</ref> It was reported in August 2017 that since 2015, when the [[European migrant crisis]] was at its height, the German Prosecutor’s Office received over 1,000 criminal complaints accusing Merkel of high treason for her actions regarding refugees and immigration.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (August 31, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/08/31/german-prosecutors-1000-criminal-complaints-merkel-high-treason/ Prosecutors Have Rejected 1,000 High Treason Charges Against Merkel For Migrant Crisis Since 2015]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 31, 2017.</ref> This represented a massive visible shift in her policies since 2010, when she actually stated that multicultural society had failed and that immigrants needed to do more to integrate, including learning German.<ref>(October 17, 2010). [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-11559451 Merkel says German multicultural society has failed]. ''BBC''. Retrieved September 16, 2018.</ref>

When discussing her options on how to counter the migrant crisis in 2015, Merkel quickly dismissed the notion of restoring border controls.<ref>Hale, Virginia (September 25, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/09/25/no-fences-merkels-migrant-crisis-vow/ ‘We Won’t Build Any Fences’: Interview Reveals Merkel’s Reaction to 2015 Migrant Crisis]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 25, 2018.</ref>

When discussing her options on how to counter the migrant crisis in 2015, Merkel quickly dismissed the notion of restoring border controls.<ref>Hale, Virginia (September 25, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/09/25/no-fences-merkels-migrant-crisis-vow/ ‘We Won’t Build Any Fences’: Interview Reveals Merkel’s Reaction to 2015 Migrant Crisis]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 25, 2018.</ref>

When the German Minister of Interior [[Horst Seehofer]] stated that [[Islam]] "does not belong in Germany,"<ref>http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43422770</ref><ref>Huggler, Justin (March 16, 2018). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/16/german-interior-minister-declares-islam-does-not-belong-country/ German interior minister declares 'Islam does not belong' in the country]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved March 17, 2018.</ref> Merkel quickly responded by saying that "Islam belongs to Germany."<ref>Hale, Virginia (March 16, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/03/16/islam-belongs-germany-merkel-insists/ ‘Islam Belongs to Germany’, Merkel Insists After Minister Highlights Nation’s Christian Heritage]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 17, 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.thelocal.de/20180316/islam-doesnt-belong-to-germany-says-interior-minister-horst-seehofer Merkel contradicts interior minister, saying ‘Islam belongs to Germany’]. ''The Local''. March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2018.</ref> Merkel's globalist views on immigration and unwillingness to compromise conflicted with the relatively conservative views of Seehofer, something which endangered the coalition she created after the 2017 elections.<ref>Multiple references:

When the German Minister of Interior [[Horst Seehofer]] stated that [[Islam]] "does not belong in Germany,"<ref>http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43422770</ref><ref>Huggler, Justin (March 16, 2018). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/16/german-interior-minister-declares-islam-does-not-belong-country/ German interior minister declares 'Islam does not belong' in the country]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved March 17, 2018.</ref> Merkel quickly responded by saying that "Islam belongs to Germany."<ref>Hale, Virginia (March 16, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/03/16/islam-belongs-germany-merkel-insists/ ‘Islam Belongs to Germany’, Merkel Insists After Minister Highlights Nation’s Christian Heritage]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 17, 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.thelocal.de/20180316/islam-doesnt-belong-to-germany-says-interior-minister-horst-seehofer Merkel contradicts interior minister, saying ‘Islam belongs to Germany’]. ''The Local''. March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2018.</ref> Merkel's globalist views on immigration and unwillingness to compromise conflicted with the relatively conservative views of Seehofer, something which endangered the coalition she created after the 2017 elections.<ref>Multiple references:

*Irvine, Chris (June 15, 2018). [http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/06/15/angela-merkels-german-government-facing-collapse-over-her-immigration-stance.html Angela Merkel's German government facing collapse over her immigration stance]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved June 15, 2018.

*Irvine, Chris (June 15, 2018). [http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/06/15/angela-merkels-german-government-facing-collapse-over-her-immigration-stance.html Angela Merkel's German government facing collapse over her immigration stance]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved June 15, 2018.

*Tomlinson, Chris (June 16, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/16/longstanding-disagreements-on-migrant-policy-threaten-to-end-merkel-era/ New Migrant Crisis Threatens to Bring Down Merkel in 48 Hours]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 16, 2018.

*Tomlinson, Chris (June 16, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/16/longstanding-disagreements-on-migrant-policy-threaten-to-end-merkel-era/ New Migrant Crisis Threatens to Bring Down Merkel in 48 Hours]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 16, 2018.

*Duke, Selwyn (June 18, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/29300-muslim-migration-may-topple-eu-starting-with-angela-merkel-s-government Muslim Migration May Topple EU — Starting With Angela Merkel’s Government]. ''The New American''. Retrieved June 18, 2018.

*Duke, Selwyn (June 18, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/29300-muslim-migration-may-topple-eu-starting-with-angela-merkel-s-government Muslim Migration May Topple EU — Starting With Angela Merkel’s Government]. ''The New American''. Retrieved June 18, 2018.

*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-germany/defiant-merkel-backs-europe-migrant-policy-as-bavaria-row-simmers-idUSKBN1JC0CQ Defiant Merkel backs Europe migrant policy as Bavaria row simmers]. ''Reuters''. June 16, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2018.

*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-germany/defiant-merkel-backs-europe-migrant-policy-as-bavaria-row-simmers-idUSKBN1JC0CQ Defiant Merkel backs Europe migrant policy as Bavaria row simmers]. ''Reuters''. June 16, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2018.