refugees

World politics 17th January 2022

Djokovic Case Highlights Australia’s “Shameful” Refugee Policies

Amnesty International | Commenting on the court ruling on tennis star Novak Djokovic’s appeal against the Australian government’s decision to cancel his visa, Graham Thom, Amnesty International Australia’s refugee adviser, said: “Djokovic has glimpsed for a moment what refugees have been experiencing for years because of the Australian government’s shameful policies on refugees. For example, Mehdi Ali, a 24-year-old Iranian held in the same hotel as Djokovic, the Park Hotel,…

Cities are leading refugee integration efforts

European politics 10th April 2021

Germany’s Refugees Face a Future Without Angela Merkel

K iran Bowry | In 2015, the European refugee crisis awoke Germans from a long and comforting slumber that Angela Merkel had lulled them into with her political style. The term “asymmetric demobilization” came to be known as a way of describing the German chancellor’s shrewd strategy of sitting on the fence and thereby winning elections. Merkel weakened her political competitors by avoiding controversial issues and, in doing so, choking off debate. Simultaneously, she adopted popular policy stances of her opponents and demobilized their potential voters.

In Europe 23rd September 2017

What To Expect From The Upcoming But Forgotten German Elections?

There has been something of a political roller-coaster in Europe over the past months, and it appears already that no-one is giving much importance to the upcoming federal elections in Germany. But there are various issues and questions making this election especially important for Germany and the EU.

In Europe 18th May 2016

Locating Europe’s Pulse In The Refugee Crisis

Nick Malkoutzis via Macropolis | Neo-Nazis marching through the streets of Sweden, the far-right making its political presence felt in Austria, a beefed up military and police presence on borders in many parts of Europe and stinging criticism on moral and legal grounds of the “one in, one out” agreement with Turkey from human rights groups – these are just some of the signs of the existential crisis that the European Union is experiencing.

In Europe 18th April 2016

Refugees Have Clear Their Final Destination Is Germany

Many countries refused to contribute to the European community’s handling of the crisis and, left on her own, Merkel explains: “We hope that once there is peace you will be able to return to your country”.

In Europe 21st March 2016

Let’s unleash the money helicopter in Germany

The refugee crisis shows no respect for pacts. Not even the stability pact, which is difficult to enforce when many countries vote for change facing an economy without growth. It’s easier to wait for money from heaven.

In Europe 11th March 2016

When The Refugee Crisis Met The Bailout Review

Nick Malkoutzis via Macropolis | After weeks of dancing around the issue, it seems that Greece and its lenders have started, even tangentially, to link the refugee crisis and the pending bailout review.

In Europe 6th March 2016

The Refugee Crisis And The Beast Within

Nick Malkoutzis via Macropolis | As symbols go, the imaginary pig’s head in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies requires little explanation. Its meaning is summed up in one line of the unnerving classic. “Fancy thinking the beast was something you could hunt and kill!” says the fly-infested head. “You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you?”

In Europe 10th February 2016

Search For Solutions, Not Scapegoats In EU’s Refugee Crisis

Nick Malkoutzis via MacroPolis | For some years now, and especially over the last 12 months, Greece has acted as Europe’s lifeguard, first aid provider and gravedigger. It seems, though, that the strain of the refugee crisis means Greece’s European partners also want it to serve as a prison warden.

In Europe 29th January 2016

Angela’s Solitude Within And Outside Germany

The conservative members of Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Party (CDU) do not understand that she does not want to put a limit on the number of refugees. And now even her coalition partner in Berlin, the Social Democrats, criticise her for underestimating the scale of the challenge. So to what extent will Merkel be able to impose her ideas? Who can replace her? Is it a viable proposition to integrate all asylum seekers who arrive in Europe?

1 2 »