In August 2015, German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared, “Wir schaffen das” (“We can do it”)—a phrase that would become the slogan of a migration policy shift that changed Europe. What followed was an unprecedented influx of asylum seekers, primarily from the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia, with Germany absorbing the brunt. A decade later, the social and demographic impacts of that decision continue to unfold across Europe.
By the end of 2015, Germany registered approximately 890,000 new asylum seekers, a revision from earlier estimates of over 1.1 million. Merkel’s suspension of the Dublin Regulation—normally requiring refugees to seek asylum in their first EU country of entry—led to a surge of arrivals aiming directly for Germany. Many had passed through nations like Turkey, Greece, and Hungary, with their destination influenced by Germany’s perceived openness and generous welfare systems.
As Breitbart reported from Hungary at the time, large groups of predominantly young, single males moved through Keleti train station in Budapest, aiming for Germany while refusing to remain in transit countries like Hungary or Serbia. Observations from journalists on the ground described migrants as well-dressed, equipped with new phones, and often uninterested in integration. The implication was clear: many sought economic benefit, not asylum from war or persecution.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned in 2015 that Europe’s leniency risked national security. He stated, “All of them present a security threat because we don’t know who they are.” His prediction was echoed by critics who feared that terrorist groups could exploit the chaos. Indeed, incidents like the 2015 Paris attacks and the 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack raised concerns about insufficient vetting.
The years since have revealed the scale and complexity of integrating such a vast migrant population. While some refugees have found employment, many remain reliant on public assistance. Cultural clashes, rising crime in certain areas, and strain on public services have fueled support for nationalist parties, including Germany’s AfD and France’s National Rally. Public sentiment has shifted sharply, with calls for stricter immigration controls growing louder across the continent.
In the UK, where Channel crossings have surged, the government recently admitted to losing track of over 150,000 migrants who arrived on social care visas. Europe now faces a sustained demographic transformation, largely triggered by one policy decision made without full EU consensus or foresight.
Chancellor Merkel’s unilateral declaration marked a turning point in European history. The consequences—both foreseen and unintended—continue to test the cohesion, culture, and security of the continent.
