HOW HER ‘OPEN DOOR’ GAMBLE BACKFIRED

SHE is the EU’s most powerful leader, having led Germany since 2005.

But Angela Merkel’s reign is facing its toughest ever test following her decision to throw open Germany’s borders during the 2015 migration crisis.

Her ruling coalition is at risk, with her Christian Social Union (CSU) partners in open revolt over the need for tougher immigration policies.

The Bavarian party wants the ability to turn away asylum seekers who have previously registered in other EU countries or do not hold valid papers.

The idea has been dismissed by Miss Merkel, despite increasing pressure to mend the growing fall-out from her ‘open-door’ policy. In 2015, 890,000 migrants arrived in Germany, with 280,000 arriving the following year.

The Chancellor’s move involved rejecting the EU’s Dublin asylum rules, requiring the first country to which a migrant arrives to process their asylum request.

By doing this, she hoped to accept refugees from war-torn countries such as Syria and Afghanistan while relieving the pressure on frontline Mediterranean countries. But the influx placed authorities under huge strain. While around 300,000 were denied asylum, only 25,000 were deported in 2016 and some 55,000 went home voluntarily.

Critics believe the strategy prompted the rise of the far-Right Alternative for Germany party, which won 12.6 per cent of votes in last year’s general election.

The German leader fears that a reinforced German border would cause a domino effect and put pressure on other EU countries. Instead, she hopes to conclude individual deals with countries such as Greece, allowing her to speed up ‘returns’ of asylum seekers who have previously registered there and travelled to Germany.