Author: Filip Raunić
https://twitter.com/filipraunic
http://www.telegram.hr/politika-kriminal/mislite-da-je-angela-merkel-sada-u-velikim-problemima-cekajte-da-krene-rjesavati-situaciju-u-libiji/
Pragmatic leaders will have to direct the focus toward a new refugee wave
Angela Merkel has brought her real politics to the limits. Leaders whose pragmatism still prevails over ideology is now facing international criticism, disappointed voters and the rift in his coalition because of her choice to approach the refugee crisis, writes Bloomberg.
This could be just the beginning of her problems. With the agreement between the EU and Turkey she pressed that country to do discourage illegal migration, and Merkel is now shifting the focus to the refugee wave that goes across the Mediterranean to Italy. And that means she will have to deal with Libya and Egypt.
Merkel will host US President Barack Obama and the leaders of Britain, France and Italy in western Germany in Hanover to discuss Libya and migration, Syria and the Islamic State, in addition to what the White House described the additional step of NATO allies in dealing with the "challenges in eastern and southern European periphery ".
Millions of refugees
German intelligence suggests that around a million refugees in the countries of the Maghreb are waiting to cross into Europe which is causing alarm in Berlin, according to the official of Angela Merkel's party, who wished to remain anonymous, writes Bloomberg.
German politics is now driven by "domestic imperative to reduce the number of refugees, which is it to be or not to be for Merkel," said the head of the Berlin office of the European Council for Foreign Relations Josef Janning. Germany should become "more active" in North Africa, "for Merkel this is a challenge, because you must be dangerous in doing things the general public does not understand."
The Angela Merkel dilemma
Faced with the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II, Merkel was forced to terminate her traditional caution and strongly engage in geopolitical sphere in which Germany did not otherwise mix. Her dilemma is that the more she engage in it, the more will grow criticism in her country.
Take the example of Turkey. Merkel has been accused that she sacrificed the freedom of the media to meet Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan, having allowed the prosecution of German comedian for insulting Erdogan. With this decision dis not agree her coalition partner, she was criticized also by Human Rights Watch, all of which led to a drop in popularity to the lowest level of her third term.
However, Merkel is already searching how she will post agreement with Turkey to "many neighbors" of Europe, as she told reporters at the beginning of the week. Libya is "particularly worrying", so Germany seeks help to build an unified government of the country affected by war under Fayez Serraj without they even have legitimacy in the parliament or the army under their control, she said.
Beyond the borders of Europe
"A lot of refugees that are coming from Africa are in Libya," said Merkel. "Of course, it is not easy to conduct negotiations there and get some kind of burden-sharing as it was done with Turkey."
The latest example, continues Bloomberg, as Merkel, driven by the imperative to stabilize Europe, has re-launched German foreign policy. First, Greece had to accept the role of Germany as an economic leader in Europe. Then, the Russian aggression in Ukraine placed Merkel has a European counterweight to Vladimir Putin.
She is now forced to look beyond the boundaries of Europe in an attempt to solve the cause of migration from Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Can she reassure voters?
Egyptian President Adbel Fattah El-Sisi imposes himself as a new partner of German Chancellor in dealing with the refugee crisis. The Angela Merkel coalition now wants that Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia get EU marks as a so-called safe countries, which would facilitate the process of return of people who do not qualify for asylum in Germany.
Time for such arrangements is less and less, writes Bloomberg. If Angela Merkel will try to win her fourth term at elections, the key will be whether she is able to keep voters on her side of real politics.
The key dilemma
"German public has become accustomed to the post-Cold War mindset" of peaceful, democratic and secure Europe, says executive director of the Center for Transatlantic Relations Daniel Hamilton.
"There was a feeling that the role of Germany in the middle of that is to just enjoy, and not that it must defend that," said Hamilton. "That's the difference: Or you are projecting stability to east and south or instability comes to you.
This is with what Germany is fighting."
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IZAKOVIC