In her autobiography, Freedom: Memories 1954-2021, Angela Merkel addressed the rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), directly linking it to her migration policy.
She defended her decision to welcome refugees in 2015, claiming that rejecting them would have been an even “more dramatic” response. Merkel’s explanation underscores her belief that the migrant influx was a necessary step, despite the backlash it generated.
The evening event, hosted by Anne Will, provided an opportunity for Merkel to reflect on her life, including her time in East Germany. Merkel revealed that she was never part of the activist groups that pushed for revolution in 1989, famously skipping the major demonstration on November 4th to attend her great aunt’s birthday. Still, she acknowledged the important role of those who fought for change in East Germany. She even credited her experiences growing up in the GDR with helping her navigate her political career, particularly in terms of maintaining a “certain confidentiality” in her work.
When discussing her controversial refugee policy, Merkel made it clear that she viewed the migrants not as a “flow” but as individuals. She expressed discomfort with the term “refugee flow,” emphasizing that her decision was about people, not just a number. However, her rationale for opening Germany’s borders in 2015 remains a polarizing issue, and many still hold her responsible for the rise of the AfD, who capitalized on the backlash against her policies. Despite this, Merkel insists that her approach was the right one, arguing that the alternative would have been far worse.
