Germany’s backlash

BARELY a day goes by without some Brussels commissar sneerily pointing out that Theresa May’s government is unstable and she leads it only by virtue of a coalition. Well, at least Mrs May managed to form a coalition – which is more than can be said for Angela Merkel.

After two months of horse trading, the seemingly invulnerable German Chancellor failed to secure a working majority and her political career is in the balance. The key reason is her disastrous migration policy.

To the fury of voters, she opened Germany’s doors to 1.2 million migrants from Africa and the Middle East in 2015 and there has since been a wave of highprofile crimes and severe social problems.

In Germany – as in the rest of Europe – people are deeply disillusioned at being ruled by a complacent political elite which they feel is deaf to their concerns. The far-Right is on the march and even liberal politicians now demand greater democracy and tougher migration controls.

With or without Brexit, the very foundations of the European project seem to be crumbling.